A groundbreaking new basketball league jointly developed by the NBA and FIBA could tip off as early as 2027, with European giants Real Madrid and Barcelona among the flagship clubs expected to take part.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed Tuesday that while no official start date has been set, momentum is building quickly toward a historic launch.
A 2027–28 Timeline in Play
Speaking at a conference hosted by Front Office Sports, Silver described 2027 as an “ambitious” target given the logistical hurdles that remain. He did not rule out that possibility, but suggested 2028 — to coincide with the Los Angeles Olympics — might be more realistic.
“I don’t think I’d want to go much longer than ’28,” Silver said. “The opportunity is now to do something
like this.”
The commissioner noted that existing European arenas could serve as home courts during the league’s infancy before modern basketball infrastructure is expanded.
Real Madrid and Barcelona as Cornerstones
Early blueprints envision a 16-team competition, with traditional basketball powerhouses like Real Madrid and Barcelona central to the project. Both clubs boast rich basketball traditions alongside their world-famous football operations, making them natural cornerstones for a transcontinental league.
Alongside Madrid and Barça, Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce Istanbul has also been linked, while wealthy football-backed organizations such as Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are believed to be exploring entry.
NBA and FIBA Push Forward
The NBA and FIBA officially confirmed in March that they were pursuing a European league, ending years of speculation. Progress accelerated last month when JPMorgan Chase and Raine Group were appointed as financial and strategic advisors.
Silver and Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum have since met with European political leaders, media companies, investors, and club executives.
“I would say I’m enthusiastic about it,” Silver said. “Basketball’s probably the fastest-growing sport in the world right now, and it’s a huge No. 2 sport in Europe behind soccer, so I think there’s a real opportunity.”
Rising European Influence
The timing reflects basketball’s surging popularity on the continent. Nearly one in six NBA players today is European, including recent MVP winners Nikola Jokic (Serbia) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), as well as global stars Luka Doncic (Slovenia) and Victor Wembanyama (France).
By anchoring the new league around Madrid, Barcelona, and other heavyweight clubs, the NBA hopes to connect directly with this growing fanbase while creating a premier competition to rival soccer’s Champions League in prestige.
(with agency inputs)
