Luka Doncic and Donnie Nelson Lead Investment to Bring Professional Basketball to Rome

The landscape of European basketball is poised for a significant transformation. Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic and former Dallas Mavericks executive Donnie Nelson have officially teamed up to purchase the professional basketball club Vanoli Cremona, with a strategic plan to relocate the franchise to Rome ahead of the 2026-27 season.

This move is more than just a change of venue for a historic Italian club; it represents a calculated effort to position the organization as a cornerstone for the anticipated NBA Europe project. By securing a foothold in Italy’s capital, the ownership group aims to align the club with the broader international expansion goals currently being explored by the NBA in partnership with FIBA.

A Vision for the Future of European Basketball

For Doncic, the investment is deeply personal. “I have dreamed about owning a team in Europe for a long time, to finally have this happen is amazing,” the All-Star said in a statement released following the announcement. “Vanoli has a great history, and we are ready to take it to the next level in Rome. We have an amazing group of partners, and I really believe we can do something special for basketball in Italy and Europe.”

The ownership group is bolstered by significant basketball expertise. Joining Doncic and Nelson are former Italian league player Rimantas Kaukenas and renowned coach Valerio Bianchini. Bianchini, 82, brings a wealth of tactical experience to the project, having secured three Italian league championships with three different clubs during his storied career.

Donnie Nelson, 63, is a central figure in this transition. Having served as a key executive during the Mavericks’ acquisition of Doncic in 2018, Nelson’s transition into European club ownership signals a bridge between the American professional game and the burgeoning Lega Basket Serie A structure.

The Path Toward NBA Europe

The broader context for this acquisition is the NBA’s collaborative effort with FIBA to develop a dedicated European league. While the project remains in the development phase, league officials have expressed interest in a launch as early as the fall of 2027. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has publicly outlined a target of at least 12 teams for the inaugural season, with a potential expansion to 16 teams depending on venue readiness, infrastructure, and commercial viability.

Rome, a city with a rich but often turbulent basketball history, is viewed by many as a vital market for any credible European professional league. By moving a stable franchise like Vanoli Cremona to the city, the new ownership group is effectively laying the groundwork for what could become a flagship organization in the proposed expansion.

Key Details of the Ownership Move

• The Core Group: Luka Doncic and Donnie Nelson lead the ownership, supported by Rimantas Kaukenas and Valerio Bianchini.
• Relocation: The club will move from its current home to Rome starting with the 2026-27 season.
• Strategic Intent: The move is designed to establish a competitive presence in Italy’s capital, with an eye toward future NBA Europe participation.
• League Timeline: The NBA and FIBA are targeting a 2027 launch for the European league, with a goal of 12 to 16 teams.

What In other words for the Sport

The involvement of active NBA superstars in European club ownership is a growing trend that highlights the increasing globalization of basketball. As the lines between the NBA and international leagues continue to blur, the presence of figures like Doncic provides an immediate boost to the profile of Italian basketball.

However, the transition to Rome will require more than just star power. The club will need to manage the logistics of relocation, cultivate a new fanbase in a crowded sports market dominated by football, and navigate the complex regulatory environment of European sports leagues. With the 2026-27 season serving as a runway, the management team faces a critical period of operational development.

As the project moves forward, all eyes will be on how the NBA and FIBA finalize their plans for the 2027 season. For now, the focus in Rome remains on building a sustainable, high-performance organization capable of competing at the highest levels of the Italian game, while quietly preparing for the possibility of a much larger, continent-wide stage.

The next major milestone for the group will be the official transition of the club to Rome and the subsequent roster construction for the 2026-27 season. We will continue to track the development of the NBA Europe project as more details emerge from the league office.

Have thoughts on the potential for an NBA-backed league in Europe? Let us know in the comments below.