MILAN — The NBA is aiming for October 2027 as a potential debut date for the new league located in Europe, which it has been collaborating with FIBA to establish, according to a league spokesperson on Friday.
George Aivazoglou, managing director for NBA Europe, remarked at a conference in Milan that the inaugural season of the new league could be viewed as «a semi-launch,» suggesting that not all positions in the intended 16-team league would be filled at that point.
Aivazoglou mentioned that the 16-team structure includes 12 permanent franchises. He identified current focus countries as Britain (with prospective host cities including London and Manchester), France (Paris and Lyon), Spain (Madrid and Barcelona), Italy (Rome and Milan), Germany (Munich and Berlin), Greece (Athens) and Turkey (Istanbul). Currently, no agreements with any city or franchise have been officially confirmed by the NBA.
The remaining four teams in the league could qualify by either securing victories in FIBA’s Basketball Champions League or excelling in local leagues across Europe, Aivazoglou noted.
This potential aspect — allowing teams to qualify based on their domestic league standings — «is likely the most thrilling part of the concept, as we all recognize that domestic leagues today aren’t necessarily the same as they were 20 or 30 years ago,» Aivazoglou expressed.
It remains uncertain when the NBA may formally announce details regarding the launch date or the preliminary list of franchises. The NBA is sending the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies to compete in Berlin and London in mid-January.
Aivazoglou’s remarks on Friday were among the clearest indications regarding the NBA’s intentions for the new league, although discussions continue with teams, investors, and various stakeholders.
«We are making significant progress in our efforts and interactions with the market,» Aivazoglou stated. «We are engaged in serious dialogues with potential investors.»
Additionally, Aivazoglou mentioned that discussions are ongoing about having teams from the NBA and Europe engage in some form of competition, possibly akin to what FIFA has implemented with its Club World Cup.
«One initiative we will likely pursue soon after launching this league is to establish a new tournament,» Aivazoglou indicated.
The NBA and FIBA, the global governing body for basketball, announced initiatives in March to explore a new European league, putting an end to years of speculation about whether or when such a step would be taken. Progress has been swift, highlighted by a significant development earlier this year when the NBA enlisted JPMorgan Chase and Raine Group for financial and strategic consultation.
Well-established European clubs like Real Madrid, Fenerbahce, and Barcelona have long been expected to play a role in the NBA’s vision for the new league, alongside other prominent soccer entities like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
Approximately one in every six current NBA players is from Europe, including Denver’s Nikola Jokic from Serbia and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo from Greece — a pair that has claimed five of the league’s last seven MVP honors. The Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic hails from Slovenia, while San Antonio superstar Victor Wembanyama is from France.
