NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced this Thursday that the league is exploring the possibility of creating a new competition in Europe in collaboration with FIBA. Speaking at a press conference in New York alongside FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, Silver explained that discussions with NBA owners about "opportunities to grow basketball in Europe" have progressed, and they are ready to take the next step.

Despite the excitement, Silver made it clear that they are still in an "exploratory phase" and that no firm agreement has been reached on this potential league. However, he highlighted the NBA’s long-standing ties with Europe, both commercially and through hosting games on the continent, including some regular-season matchups.

A 16-Team League as the Starting Point

Silver revealed that the initial idea would involve a 16-team league, with 12 permanent teams. However, he noted that the format is still flexible and that the primary focus is on discussing the NBA’s role in European basketball alongside FIBA.

There were no details on which teams might join or whether they would come from the EuroLeague, which has been in conflict with FIBA for years. On this topic, Zagklis was clear: "All teams playing in Europe are FIBA teams. We want to unite the basketball ecosystem as much as possible."

A Project with Huge Potential

According to Silver, the response from commercial partners, TV networks, and advertisers has been very positive. For FIBA, the potential of European basketball is enormous, but it has yet to achieve the same commercial impact as international tournaments. "We believe the time is now," Silver concluded, leaving the door open for what could be a historic shift in the European basketball landscape.