The EuroLeague CEO, Paulius Motiejunas, has expressed confidence in the league’s stability despite the NBA’s plans to launch a new competition in Europe, dismissing the proposals as theoretical and emphasizing EuroLeague’s deep-rooted experience in the European market.
The NBA, in partnership with FIBA, is eyeing a 16-team model with 12 permanent members, targeting an October 2027 start in cities like Athens, Istanbul, Paris, and London. This ambitious plan has sparked discussions about the future of professional basketball in Europe, where the EuroLeague has long been the premier league outside the NBA.
Motiejunas, in an interview with The Associated Press, stated that while the NBA’s announcements sound impressive, making them work is another matter. He pointed out that the EuroLeague has been operating for 26 years and understands the complexities of the European sports landscape, suggesting that the NBA’s repeated promises without concrete details have become a “bit of a broken record.”
The EuroLeague comprises 20 teams, including 13 shareholder clubs such as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, which are immune from relegation. The remaining teams qualify through domestic leagues or invitations. Currently, attention is on three shareholder clubs—Real Madrid, Fenerbahce, and ASVEL—that haven’t renewed their 10-year licenses, though Motiejunas is confident all will stay, especially after Barcelona indicated it would extend its commitment.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver responded to the EuroLeague’s concerns by shrugging off legal threats and downplaying the existing league’s impact. Speaking in Berlin ahead of an NBA game, Silver said that if he believed the EuroLeague represented the ceiling for basketball in Europe, the NBA wouldn’t be investing so heavily in its new project. He emphasized the long-term nature of the venture, noting it would be “multi-decades in the making.”
Financially, the NBA is reportedly seeking at least $500 million in franchise fees for the new league, while EuroLeague clubs have a 10 million euro exit clause. Many European teams face financial challenges, relying on wealthy owners, but the EuroLeague has implemented spending restrictions to promote sustainability. In contrast, the NBA sees significant commercial potential, as basketball is the second most popular sport in Europe but currently represents only about 1% of the sports marketplace.
The European basketball ecosystem is similar to soccer, with domestic leagues feeding into continental competitions like the EuroLeague, which is akin to UEFA’s Champions League. FIBA also has its Basketball Champions League, which could serve as a feeder to the NBA league. Silver sees an opportunity to expand basketball’s commercial footprint without directly competing with soccer, aiming to capture a larger share of the market.
Recently, the EuroLeague has expanded its reach by holding its Final Four championship in Abu Dhabi and granting a license to a Dubai team, alongside extending partnerships with agencies like IMG. Motiejunas emphasized that the EuroLeague will adapt and continue to fight, focusing on its own growth rather than reacting to external threats.
As both leagues position themselves for the future, the rivalry highlights the evolving dynamics of global basketball, with the NBA seeking to establish a permanent presence in Europe while the EuroLeague asserts its established role. The coming years will be crucial as plans solidify and clubs decide their allegiances, shaping the sport’s landscape on the continent.
