In a development that could reshape global basketball, the NBA-owned league could compete against the Euroleague and other international professional leagues.
The NBA’s Global Reach
The news of an NBA expansion league comes amidst a period of global interconnectedness in the US league. The 2023-2024 season included 125 players from 40 countries. Of these, 60 players are European, making up about 15 per cent of the league’s player base. Star players include Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Dončić.
International interest in the league is also up. Over 75% of the NBA’s social media followers are based outside of the US, and NBA live bets at international sportsbooks remain one of the most popular wagering options. This cross-platform engagement has helped the league to remain relevant in global markets and lay the groundwork for a future European league.
Negotiations with the NBA Underway
According to the secretary general of FIBA Andreas Zagklis, the International Basketball Federation’s European wing could be revamped with NBA investment. In his recent annual news conference, Zagklis stated:
“There is clear interest (by the NBA) and there are ongoing discussions with FIBA. We’ve been having and will continue having discussions with … the company that operates the Euroleague.”
Included in the conversations is NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who has previously praised the Euroleague’s academy-style training programs for emerging athletes. However, there are questions about what role the league would play in competing with the Euroleague. Zagklis committed to maintaining the local system of basketball, saying, “We want the growth of our sport, but at the same time we want to protect what are the fundamentals of our ecosystem.”
The current Euroleague hosts 18 of the best European basketball franchises. With the licenses of major teams such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Istanbul expiring after the 2025-26 season, an NBA-backed league could launch with a roster of stellar teams. However, according to Zagklis, its implementation would need to respect national teams and leagues to be successful.
Prospects of a European NBA League
The NBA is set to take part in a Global Games event in Paris next year, which could help to further discussions around the potential league. One of the biggest challenges that would face the league, though, is the need to modify the schedules of both the NBA and international leagues to host international contests.
This year has seen disagreements between FIBA and the Euroleague over the scheduling of qualifiers for events such as the Olympics. FIBA has aimed to avoid conflicts for players seeking national team placement in the Summer Olympics and is seeking changes to the NBA’s calendar for the 2027-28 season to help with the qualification process for the league’s international players.
The potential league could have a transformative impact on international basketball and the NBA’s talent pipeline. How advanced the discussions are between FIBA and the NBA are unknown, but basketball analysts and fans will be keeping a close eye on the developments.
Go to Source
Author: Team Dunkest
December 16, 2024 | 12:45 pm
