The proposed NBA Europe league involves 12 permanent franchise spots with potential franchise valuations ranging from $500 million to over $1 billion for a London team, alongside a 10-year, $10 billion investment plan by the NBA, according to a report by The Guardian.
Napoli Basketball Seeks Entry into Euroleague and NBA Europe
Naples is positioning itself for a competitive future in top-tier European basketball under club leadership. According to a report by il Napolista, Napoli Basketball has held discussions regarding entry into both the Euroleague and the developing NBA Europe project. Club representative Matt Rizzetta noted that negotiations with both leagues aim to secure a pathway for the Italian club. Rizzetta reported in August that Napoli secured a conditional approval to join the Euroleague as part of that competition’s expansion plans, with formal approval anticipated within a 90-day window. Club and city officials emphasize that constructing a new arena remains a mandatory prerequisite for competing at that level.
NBA Plans 16-Team European League by 2028
The NBA’s planned European startup competition targets a 2028 launch as a 16-team league featuring 12 permanent franchises. Reports from The Guardian indicate that the NBA plans to commit approximately $10 billion over a 10-year period to establish the venture. Projected franchise values span from $500 million upwards, with the targeted London franchise drawing valuations exceeding $1 billion. NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum held discussions with senior executives from prominent European soccer clubs, including FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Monaco, and Milan, exploring cross-sport investment models.
High-Profile Investors Target Major European Markets
Interest in the permanent franchise slots extends across international sports investors and sovereign wealth funds. Prospective ownership groups eyeing the London franchise include former Chelsea owner Todd Boehly, a consortium comprising former Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy alongside MSP Sports Capital, and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. Buss Sports Capital reportedly submitted a bid for a Manchester franchise. NBA leadership has also engaged with existing European basketball clubs and multi-sport ownership groups seeking entry into the new ecosystem.
Merit-Based Routes Grant Non-Franchise Access to NBA Framework
While the exact promotion and relegation architecture remains under review, initial NBA framework proposals outline specific merit-based qualification routes. Sources cited by The Guardian indicate that non-franchise access will be granted to the top two finishers in a second-tier European competition known as the Basketball Champions League, alongside the two finalists from a separate tournament reserved for domestic league champions across Europe. Under the proposed structure, the non-franchise team achieving the highest ranking and reaching the end-of-season playoffs would retain its place in NBA Europe for the subsequent campaign, while the remaining qualifying slots would feed back into qualification tournaments.
