KAUNAS, Lithuania – The ambitious plans for the NBA to establish a significant foothold in European basketball faced a firm roadblock not from logistical hurdles or financial disagreements, but from the unwavering resolve of existing EuroLeague clubs, according to former EuroLeague Basketball CEO Paulius Motiejunas. In his first extensive interview since his departure, Motiejunas detailed how the league’s 13 shareholder teams effectively stalled negotiations, prioritizing their established structure and control over potential financial gains offered by the NBA.
The core of the issue, Motiejunas explained, wasn’t a disagreement over money – though substantial sums were involved – but over power and the fundamental structure of European basketball. The NBA, in partnership with FIBA, envisioned a new top-tier league on the continent, initially proposing a model with 12 permanent members. However, the EuroLeague clubs demanded any new arrangement include all 13 of their shareholder teams, a condition the NBA was unwilling to meet. “They wanted an island, not the whole continent,” Motiejunas stated, revealing that the NBA’s talk of a 20-team league was largely a public relations tactic.
“We’ve been here for 26 years. We know how Europe functions,” Motiejunas told reporters, echoing sentiments expressed in a recent interview with The Guardian in January 2026. “If you push Barcelona, Olympiacos, and Milan aside, you blow up the league.” The insistence on protecting the existing power structure within the EuroLeague proved to be the decisive factor in the stalled negotiations.
A ‘Broken Record’ of NBA Proposals
The NBA’s pursuit of a European presence has been a long-running saga, with discussions dating back several years. Motiejunas described the process as a “bit of a broken record,” with the NBA repeatedly presenting plans that failed to address the concerns of the EuroLeague’s key stakeholders. According to Motiejunas, the NBA’s proposals often prioritized revenue generation per fan over the established culture and traditions of European basketball – a difference in philosophy that proved insurmountable.
Following the 2025 EuroLeague Final Four, the clubs presented two counter-proposals to the NBA, seeking increased representation, more voting power, and a greater share of revenue. These proposals were rejected by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, leading to a hardening of positions and the involvement of FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis in an attempt to mediate. Despite Zagklis’s efforts, a compromise could not be reached. “We opened doors, but they only stood on the threshold,” Motiejunas said.
The Illusion of Expansion
Motiejunas revealed that whereas the NBA publicly discussed expansion plans encompassing cities like Athens, Istanbul, Paris, and Madrid, the true intention was to establish a limited presence, a “beachhead” rather than a full-scale invasion of the European market. He confirmed that the talk of a 20-team league was largely a marketing ploy designed to maintain media attention and create the impression of serious progress. “We opened up the Middle East to put pressure on the NBA,” he explained, adding that the pressure ultimately became too great for him to bear, contributing to his eventual departure.
The appointment of a new EuroLeague CEO, described by Motiejunas as someone familiar with both the NBA and the EuroLeague’s internal workings, has not altered the fundamental dynamics. While Motiejunas doesn’t anticipate deliberate sabotage, he warned that if eight clubs were to individually sign agreements with the NBA, it would effectively dismantle the EuroLeague, reducing it to a “start-up with a nameplate.”
A Fragmented Future?
With the NBA targeting a launch in October 2027 and the EuroLeague proceeding with its 2026/27 season without NBA involvement, the future of European basketball appears increasingly fragmented. Motiejunas foresees the emergence of five parallel leagues: the Adriatic League, the Basketball Champions League (BCL), the ACB League, a new NBA-Europe competition, and a reduced EuroLeague. “Then we’ll have a final every weekend – and nobody will watch,” he predicted.
Motiejunas believes a solution lies in a unified approach: joint television rights, a common calendar, and a shared marketing strategy, including a relegation system that would apply even to the “sacred 13” shareholder teams. He acknowledged the difficulty of such a solution, but argued it’s the only way to preserve the integrity and appeal of European basketball.
“I no longer have a job, but I have retained my voice,” Motiejunas stated, as reported by Eurohoops.net in November 2025. He concluded with a pointed message for the NBA: “If the NBA truly wants to come to Europe, it must buy our culture – not just our arenas.”
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions and potential shifts in strategy. The next key date is the start of the 2026/27 EuroLeague season, which will serve as a clear indication of the league’s commitment to independence. Fans and stakeholders will be closely watching to see how the landscape of European basketball evolves in the coming months.
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