NBA, Fiba checking bids from potential team owners for new Euro league, eye 2027 start date
Association and game’s world governing body sorting through interest from 12 cities in UK, Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Greece and Turkey
The NBA and Fiba are in the process of going through bids from those seeking franchises for a new league in Europe, with multiple potential ownership groups from all 12 of the league’s targeted cities expressing interest.
Mark Tatum, the NBA deputy commissioner, said the association and world governing body “were very, very happy” with the interest shown by the bids. The new league could begin in October next year.
“Right now, we’re just going through that process of narrowing down those bids into a little bit of a shortlist and trying to go out and continue to build partnerships with the right people in those markets,” Tatum said.
Officials from the NBA, Fiba and EuroLeague will meet in Geneva on Tuesday, Tatum said.
“We hope to be able to come together with the EuroLeague to align on the right system and the right set-up here,” Tatum said. “That’s our goal with those guys moving forward.”
Expanding the association’s footprint into Europe and growing the game – both on the floor and from a commercial standpoint – have been NBA priorities. The NBA and Fiba announced plans for the league in March last year.