Adam Silver in a press conference in Berlin, on the occasion of the match between Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies, spoke about NBA Europe and confirmed that he had held talks with Real Madrid and beyond. Below we report his statements.
On the talks with Real Madrid: “I’m not ready to confirm specific news. I confirm that we have also had talks with Real Madrid and other Spanish clubs. But as I said, part of this first round of discussions, which has been going on for some time, I would put more in the category of fact-finding and to make sure we fully understand what we would do in terms of long-term investment, further investment in European basketball. Therefore, it would be premature at this time to talk about more specific conversations with the clubs.”
On any EuroLeague legal letters: “I send the legal letters to my lawyers and let them handle it. I don’t think it’s inevitable that a fight is going to happen at all. I think there’s an opportunity to grow European basketball. We don’t think of ourselves, even in the United States, as something that necessarily competes with other basketball organizations or other sports organizations. We’re competing for people’s attention.”
On the lens of NBA Europe: “If I thought the EuroLeague had reached its full potential in the interest it generates among its fans, I wouldn’t be dedicating so much time to this project. As many of you know, I’m a huge fan of European soccer. I’m amazed by the almost tribal sense of ownership and belonging that comes from the love and support of these organizations. And that, to me, is what we’re all about. There’s plenty of room to be a fan of both your favorite soccer team and your favorite basketball team. And it’s on This is what I am focused on right now. Just like these great football teams, whose most glorious traditions we could list, have followers all over the United States, in Asia, in South America, etc. This is what makes these sports organizations so special. And it would be the same goal that we try to achieve with a new championship here in Europe.”
