Representatives from the NBA, EuroLeague and FIBA held talks in Cyprus to advance discussions on the proposed NBA Europe competition, according to verified reports from multiple sources.
The meeting took place as part of ongoing negotiations between the three organizations regarding the potential creation of a new international club basketball league in Europe, building on previous discussions held in Geneva in October 2025.
This latest round of talks comes after the NBA set an April 1, 2026 deadline for investment groups to submit non-binding bids for consideration in the NBA Europe project, which generated significant interest with over 120 groups expressing intent and multiple proposals exceeding $1 billion in value.
According to a source with direct knowledge of the matter who spoke to USA TODAY on condition of anonymity, the bids received ranged from approximately $500 million to over $1 billion, reflecting strong market confidence in the proposed league’s potential.
NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum confirmed the level of engagement in a statement to USA TODAY Sports, saying: “We have received significant interest from a range of prospective teams and investors for permanent franchise spots in a new league in Europe backed by the NBA and FIBA. The level of engagement and the scale of the bids reflect the marketplace’s belief in our proposed model and the enormous, untapped potential for European basketball.”
The discussions in Cyprus follow a pattern of regular meetings between the NBA, EuroLeague and FIBA leadership, with the October 2025 Geneva session marking the second such gathering in recent months focused on exploring collaborative opportunities.
Historical context shows that NBA clubs have periodically played against EuroLeague teams since 1978, with the Washington Bullets facing Maccabi Tel Aviv in the first recorded game prior to the 1978-79 season. These exhibitions have operated under varying rule sets depending on location and era.
Under the current EuroLeague Basketball era (2003-present), games played in the United States and Canada are conducted under NBA rules with three NBA referees, even as games held outside North America use NBA rules with two NBA referees and one EuroLeague official.
The proposed NBA Europe league would represent a significant evolution beyond periodic exhibition games, aiming to establish a permanent competitive structure that could either complement or potentially challenge the existing EuroLeague framework.
Meanwhile, EuroLeague Basketball has confirmed its intention to maintain a 20-team format for the upcoming season, indicating continuity in the existing competition structure despite ongoing discussions about potential changes to the European basketball landscape.
Several high-profile clubs have been mentioned in connection with the NBA Europe concept, including Real Madrid, which faces strategic considerations regarding its long-term commitment to either the existing EuroLeague or a potential new NBA-backed competition.
Broader sports organizations have also expressed views on the project, with some football clubs reportedly voicing skepticism about the NBA Europe initiative, though specific details of those concerns were not verified in the available sources.
The talks in Cyprus represent another step in a multi-year exploration process that began with the joint NBA-FIBA announcement about studying the feasibility of “NBA Europe” as a new international club competition.
As negotiations continue, stakeholders remain focused on determining the optimal structure for growing basketball’s popularity and competitiveness across Europe while respecting the historical significance of existing competitions like the EuroLeague.
The next confirmed checkpoint in the process will be the NBA’s review and shortlisting of the submitted investment proposals following the April 1 deadline, after which further discussions with potential partners and league organizers are expected to proceed.
For ongoing updates on the NBA Europe project and related developments in international basketball, readers are encouraged to follow official announcements from the NBA, EuroLeague and FIBA through their respective communications channels.
What are your thoughts on the potential impact of a new NBA-backed European league on the existing basketball ecosystem? Share your perspective in the comments below.
