NBA & FIBA Forge New European Basketball League

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) have announced a joint initiative to explore the establishment of a new professional men's basketball league across Europe. This collaborative effort will commence in January, with both organizations actively seeking prospective teams and ownership groups to join the venture.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed optimism, citing "enormous opportunity" and the potential for a "sustainable competition" with broad international representation. The proposed league structure would allow teams from FIBA-affiliated domestic leagues to qualify annually through participation in the Basketball Champions League or a dedicated qualifying tournament. This model aims to integrate seamlessly with existing domestic and national team schedules.

Despite the potential benefits, the announcement has faced criticism. Sarunas Jasikevicius, coach of Fenerbahce, voiced concerns that the NBA's business interests could undermine the integrity of European basketball. Both the NBA and FIBA have pledged financial support for developing Europe's broader basketball ecosystem, including academies and coaching programs.