NBA on schedule to launch European league in 2027

The NBA is “very much on schedule” with plans to launch a new European league in 2027, commissioner Adam Silver said Wednesday before the start of the NBA Finals.

As French star Victor Wembanyama prepared to lead the San Antonio Spurs against the New York Knicks in game one in San Antonio, Silver said the project had excited “record interest” from potential investors.

“We are very much on schedule,” Silver said. “It is our hope and anticipation that the league will launch in the ‘27-28 season in Europe.

“We are on track. Final bids from franchises are due at the end of this month, at the end of the month in June. We’ve seen record interest and we’re very excited about the ongoing opportunity and working closely [with] Fiba, our federation.”

Deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said at the All-Star game in February that the proposed competition, which has sparked tension with the existing EuroLeague, would feature 12 permanent franchises and four qualifying teams.

Target cities include Paris, Lyon, London, Berlin, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Rome, Manchester, Munich, Athens and Istanbul.