The NBA may be discussion expansion to the cities of Seattle and Las Vegas, but it’s long been known that the prized frontier for the brand lies overseas. International expansion has proved a lucrative market for the titan basketball league, ground that the NFL and MLB have not been able to occupy.
Europe is a natural launching off spot for the international wave of the NBA. The ground has already been well-sown by professional clubs, cultivating interest in the sport. Indeed, progress has been slowed
somewhat by the interests of regional teams, now successful in their own right and wary of interference or slight should the NBA become a stronger force on the continent.
Despite that, Euronews reported this week that a new, NBA-inclusive European league is under consideration, as the American league and FIBA will begin approaching existing European teams about participation.
According to the article, the initial plan incorporates traditional Euro teams, with guaranteed spots in the league for storied powerhouses and a play-in system for other clubs.
The planned league will include guaranteed spots for certain teams and an annual qualification system via FIBA’s Basketball Champions League or a postseason tournament, organisers said.
All clubs competing in FIBA-sanctioned European leagues would be eligible to qualify.
FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis said the competition format honours European sporting traditions by providing every ambitious club on the continent a legitimate route to the highest level.
The exact number of participants has yet to be determined. The endeavor is currently targeted to launch in October, 2027.
The article also points out that 1 in 6 current NBA players come from Europe, including many of the league’s top superstars.
