The NBA and basketball’s world governing body, FIBA, say they will press on with a new professional league in Europe, days after the owners of the EuroLeague voted to reject the NBA’s merger offer. Both sides are still leaving the door open to a deal.
The NBA and FIBA have said they will go ahead with plans for a new professional men’s league in Europe, ESPN reported.
Their joint statement, issued on Thursday, October 8, came after the owners of EuroLeague teams rejected a merger offer earlier in the week.
The Statement
“A partnership between the EuroLeague, FIBA and the NBA to unify the European basketball ecosystem would unlock the game’s enormous potential across Europe for the benefit of clubs, players and, most importantly, fans,” the two bodies said.
“The NBA and FIBA remain committed to moving forward with a new professional men’s league in Europe and helping build a stronger, more sustainable basketball ecosystem alongside partners who share our vision.”
What the EuroLeague Decided
Last month, after nearly two years of development, the NBA presented a formal merger offer to the EuroLeague.
The EuroLeague’s leadership met this week on the shores of Lake Como in Italy and voted to turn it down. According to ESPN’s sources, they believed the offer undervalued the league.
They also reportedly discussed expanding beyond the league’s current 13 licence holders. ESPN described that as a move designed to keep the NBA out of certain cities and away from certain partners.
Not a Closed Door
Despite the rising tension, there is still room to negotiate, sources told ESPN.
- Several EuroLeague members have held extensive talks with the NBA and are believed to be seriously interested in joining a new NBA Europe
- Barcelona, a EuroLeague member, said this week that the club and the league would be open to considering an amended offer
Who Is Leading the Project
NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum has been leading the European project. He and commissioner Adam Silver were in Macao this week for the league’s China Games.
What Is at Stake
The EuroLeague is the leading club competition in European basketball. A rival league backed by the NBA and by FIBA would compete with it for clubs, cities, players and broadcasters.
Whether the two end up as partners or competitors is now the central question in the European game.
Image: NBA commissioner Adam Silver in 2014 (file photo). Photo by Keith Allison via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
