Regarding a possible NBA Europe, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is impressed by the German basketball club.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has highly praised German basketball club ALBA Berlin regarding a possible offshoot in Europe. “They are the model of a club we would like to see in a potential European league,” Silver said on the sidelines of the game between Orlando Magic and the Memphis Grizzlies in Berlin. Furthermore, ALBA is “a prime example of how a top club should be organized.”
A European club competition, created in collaboration between the NBA and the world federation FIBA, is set to start in 2027. The NBA announced plans for an “NBA Europe” last March. Currently, the EuroLeague, organized independently of FIBA, is considered the top tier in European club basketball, in which FC Bayern also competes. FIBA’s flagship competition is currently the Champions League, in which Alba participates.
Will NBA Europe Replace the EuroLeague?
After the announcement of the plans, questions arose about how the new league and the EuroLeague could coexist. The top-tier league and FIBA have long been at odds, partly concerning player release periods during international windows. Silver, meanwhile, believes “in no way is a conflict inevitable.” The 63-year-old emphasizes the revenue potential in European basketball.
“If I believed that the existing EuroLeague and its fan interest had reached their limit, we wouldn’t dedicate so much time and attention to this project,” Silver said. Financing, the NBA boss continued, would initially come from the participating clubs: “Similar to any start-up, the participants would be the investors. Over time, we would then like to see returns.” However, he admitted: “If we successfully launch this league, it would take a while before it becomes a profitable business.”
Meanwhile, Silver emphasizes that it is “of crucial importance that we respect the traditions of European basketball.” At the same time, he cited European club football as a role model. “I am a big fan of European football. I am thrilled by the almost tribal connection with which fans follow these organizations. And that is exactly what we are focusing on.”