The NBA’s long-term plan to launch a professional basketball league in Europe has taken a concrete step forward during high-level meetings in Copenhagen, where league executives held direct talks with officials from several of the continent’s most prominent soccer clubs.
Mark Tatum, braccio destro del commissioner Adam Silver, and George Aivazoglou, senior vice president with delega all’Europa e al Medio Oriente, met with representatives from five major European soccer powerhouses. The discussions took place on the sidelines of the annual meeting of European football clubs organized by Paris Saint-Germain vice-president Nasser Al-Khelaifi in the Danish capital, as reported by The Athletic.
The targeted group of clubs involved in the ongoing discussions includes Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Monaco (Bayern Munich), and AC Milan. Among these organizations, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich already operate basketball divisions holding permanent licenses in the EuroLeague. Conversely, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan currently do not possess a basketball club.
“Ovviamente Tatum non sarebbe stato invitato qui se le trattative con i club di calcio non stessero andando nella giusta direzione,” said a representative from one of the five participating clubs, pointing to the deliberate nature of the meetings in Copenhagen.
While the proposed NBA Europe league has been tentatively slated to begin as early as the autumn of 2027, industry discussions have also weighed potential adjustments toward 2028 to properly evaluate franchise markets and commercial structures.
Real Madrid Executive Outlines Commercial Ambitions
Public endorsement for the prospective transatlantic expansion has come from within European basketball’s existing hierarchy. Juan Carlos Sánchez, direttore sportivo of the basketball division at Real Madrid, addressed the project’s economic and media potential in interviews with Spanish media outlets.
“Siamo impazienti che la NBA arrivi in Europa col suo bagaglio di esperienza e la sua grande capacità di attrarre nuovi appassionati,” Sánchez said, emphasizing the operational scale that American leadership could introduce to the continent.
Describing the potential impact on European sports media, visibility, and commercial revenue, Sánchez offered a direct metaphor regarding the caliber of the enterprise: “È come se ci dessero le chiavi di una Ferrari da poter guidare nei fine settimana: sai quanto è bella e fantastica una Ferrari e non vedresti l’ora di metterti al volante. Speriamo che tutto questo possa accadere nel minor tempo possibile.”
Negotiations Regarding the Future of EuroLeague
A central element in the realization of NBA Europe involves discussions surrounding the existing EuroLeague structure. League commissioner Adam Silver addressed the ongoing dialogue following a Board of Governors meeting in New York, confirming that formal talks with European basketball stakeholders are continuing.
“Abbiamo discusso delle trattative con Eurolega e credo che stiamo facendo progressi,” Silver stated regarding the trajectory of the discussions. “Crediamo che NBA Europe sarebbe rafforzata dall’unione con Eurolega. Non deve necessariamente succedere, ma sarebbe meglio per tutti avere un fronte unito in Europa. Ci saranno annunci nei prossimi mesi, le conversazioni procedono speditamente. Per noi NBA Europe è un’opportunità che capita una volta nella vita.”
As part of this consolidation process, permanent-license holders within the EuroLeague are scheduled to convene on the shores of Lake Como to evaluate future competitive steps and address the acquisition proposals put forward by North American organizers.
