Euroleague Shareholders Reject NBA Europe Collaboration Offer, Future Talks Possible

CERNOBBIO, Italy, Oct 6 (Reuters) – Euroleague shareholder clubs have turned down an offer from the NBA to collaborate, creating uncertainty for the future of European basketball and potential competition for the continent's top teams and commercial interests. Despite the rejection, the possibility of further discussions remains open.

The clubs met near Lake Como to discuss both the NBA proposal and a plan to expand the Euroleague from 20 to 24 teams. While no formal decision on the expansion was reached, the Euroleague confirmed its move to convert the 13 shareholder clubs into franchises.

A senior sports executive indicated to Reuters that a partnership with the NBA is unlikely before 2028, citing the challenges of launching a new competition in time for the 2027-28 season. Although the Euroleague did not directly acknowledge the NBA offer in its statement, it expressed its willingness to explore future collaboration. The NBA has not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding the situation.

The NBA’s efforts to penetrate the European market are bolstered by increasing interest in basketball, with the Euroleague reporting an 82% rise in TV viewership for the first 25 rounds of the 2025-26 season. Furthermore, streaming partnerships with platforms like Amazon Prime have enriched NBA audiences in Europe, while high-profile regular-season games in cities like Berlin and London have showcased the league’s growing popularity. For instance, viewership for a January game between the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies in London increased by 90% compared to the last NBA match there in 2019.

In terms of financials, a report by JB Capital commissioned by the Euroleague estimates the league's value at €1.41 billion ($1.59 billion), with its licensed teams valued at about €1.8 billion ($2.03 billion). However, these figures are considerably lower than those of the NBA, which recently overtook Major League Baseball to become the world's second-richest sports league, with projected revenues exceeding $14 billion in the 2025-26 season.

Both the NBA and Euroleague have expressed a desire to collaborate on a new competition but are also prepared to follow their own paths if no agreement is made. No specific timeline for a deal has been set, although both sides aim for a clearer direction by the end of the season. Regarding the Euroleague's expansion, a source attending the meeting stated that a decision on additional long-term licenses would be made within the next month, with up to eight additional licenses potentially available. Other spots could be filled through short-term licenses, wildcards, and performances in the BKT EuroCup.