EuroLeague shareholders reject NBA's proposal for collaboration: Sources

Covered by The New York Times, USA Today and 9 more since

  • Europe
  • Italy
  • Barcelona
  • Milan
  • United States
  • Istanbul
  • London
  • Como
A basketball sits on an empty conference table in a villa meeting room, with tall windows overlooking Lake Como and misty mountains.

What happened

EuroLeague's 13 shareholder clubs, meeting Tuesday in Cernobbio, Italy, rejected the NBA's formal offer to merge Europe's top basketball competition into its planned NBA Europe league. The NBA and FIBA say they remain committed to launching a 16-team league as early as fall 2027. Clubs including Barcelona say talks could resume if the offer improves.

Summary

Europe's top basketball clubs have turned down the NBA's first offer to join forces. At a Tuesday meeting in Cernobbio, Italy, near Lake Como, the EuroLeague's 13 shareholder clubs rejected a proposal to fold their competition into a single European operation under the NBA's planned NBA Europe league. Barcelona confirmed the decision. Reports differ on the margin. Yahoo Sports, citing reports, called it unanimous, while the Deseret News, citing ESPN, described a solid majority. ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported that owners felt the NBA and FIBA undervalued their league, and Front Office Sports sources said some owners called the pitch "colonialist." [4] [5] [8] [9] [10] [11]

The NBA is not backing off. In a joint statement, the NBA and FIBA, basketball's world governing body, said they "remain committed" to a new men's league in Europe, though they would still welcome a partnership with the EuroLeague. George Aivazoglou, the NBA's managing director for Europe and the Middle East, told the Leaders Week London conference that the current system keeps some domestic champions out while other clubs stay in. "We're moving ahead with our plans for a launch next year," he said. The plan calls for 16 teams: 12 permanent franchises and four spots earned through qualification each year. [1] [3] [4] [6]

Talks may not be over. Barcelona said the clubs and the EuroLeague would reconsider if the proposal is amended. According to The Athletic, at least six EuroLeague teams are interested in NBA Europe. Fadeaway World, citing reports, said Real Madrid asked for 30 more days for a revised offer. Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos urged clubs to "find a solution." Expansion is a sticking point: the NBA reportedly wanted the EuroLeague to pause growth toward 24 teams. Yahoo Sports reported the shareholders put expansion on hold, while the Deseret News reported they have no plans to do so. EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno has said the league would "compete" if no deal is reached. [3] [4] [5] [7] [8] [10]

Summary written by Vox Populi News from the 11 sources below. See all sources

Key questions

Why did EuroLeague clubs reject the NBA's offer?

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported that owners believed the NBA and FIBA undervalued their league, and reports say they objected to the NBA's request to halt EuroLeague expansion. Some owners called the pitch "colonialist," according to Front Office Sports sources. [4] [5] [8]

When is NBA Europe supposed to launch?

The NBA and FIBA have planned a launch in the fall of 2027. A source tied to a likely NBA Europe franchise told The Athletic that an October 2027 start without a EuroLeague deal would be "impossible." [3] [6] [7] [10]

Are merger talks over?

Not necessarily. Barcelona said the clubs would reconsider an amended proposal, and the NBA says it remains open to working with partners who share its vision. [1] [3] [4] [6]

Sources 11

  1. 1The New York Times

    NBA executive knocks EuroLeague structure, promises to go forward with NBA Europe

    LONDON -- The NBA's lead official in Europe criticized the EuroLeague's closed structure and reiterated plans to launch a new basketball competition for the continent in 2027, two days after…

    Read on The New York Times (opens in a new tab)
  2. 2USA Today

    NBA Europe plans continue after EuroLeague rejects merger

    As the NBA continues to pursue its expansion into Europe, the existing legacy league rejected a formal merger offer earlier this week. Yet, that isn't halting any plans for NBA Europe to forge ahead.

    Read on USA Today (opens in a new tab)
  3. 3U.S. News & World Report

    NBA, FIBA Reiterate Plan for New Europe League Whether EuroLeague Merger Happens or Not

    MIES, Switzerland (AP) -- The NBA and FIBA indicated Thursday that they still hope to merge with the EuroLeague, which rejected an initial offer to join forces this week.

    Associated Press

    Read on U.S. News & World Report (opens in a new tab)
  4. 4Bleacher Report

    NBA, FIBA 'Remain Committed' to European League After Proposal Rejected by EuroLeague Owners

    Despite EuroLeague owners rejecting a merger offer this week, the NBA and FIBA announced Thursday that they are moving forward with plans to create a new NBA Europe league.

    Mike Chiari

    Read on Bleacher Report (opens in a new tab)
  5. 5Deseret News

    The NBA wanted to partner with Europe's biggest basketball clubs. They said no

    The NBA Europe operations that have been in the works have hit a snag in their development.

    Read on Deseret News (opens in a new tab)
  6. 6KXAN.com

    NBA, FIBA reiterate plan for new Europe league whether EuroLeague merger happens or not

    LONDON (AP) -- The NBA was pressing ahead with plans to launch a new European basketball league, saying on Thursday the current model was seriously undervalued.

    Read on KXAN.com (opens in a new tab)
  7. 7ClutchPoints

    Adam Silver's Europe plans hit major roadblock with EuroLeague's harsh rejection

    Euroleague turns down Commissioner Adam Silver's initial proposal to merge with NBA Europe, causing a roadblock for the new league.

    Benedetto Vitale

    Read on ClutchPoints (opens in a new tab)
  8. 8Fadeaway World

    NBA's Europe Proposal Unanimously Rejected by EuroLeague Teams Over 'Unacceptable''Terms

    The NBA's ambitious plan to reshape European basketball has encountered a significant roadblock, with EuroLeague shareholder clubs rejecting the league's initial proposal for collaboration amid…

    Vishwesha Kumar

    Read on Fadeaway World (opens in a new tab)
  9. 9The Daily Gazette

    EuroLeague teams reject NBA offer to merge into a single Europe operation

    Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month.

    Jerome Pugmire

    Read on The Daily Gazette (opens in a new tab)
  10. 10Yahoo Sports

    EuroLeague rejects NBA Europe initial merger proposal, more negotiations to come

    NBA Europe will not merge with the EuroLeague -- the continent's preeminent basketball competition -- at least not on the terms the NBA initially proposed, after EuroLeague shareholders rejected the…

    Kurt Helin

    Read on Yahoo Sports (opens in a new tab)
  11. 11Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer

    EuroLeague teams reject NBA offer to merge into a single Europe operation

    EuroLeague basketball owners have rejected a formal offer from the NBA to merge into a single European operation following a meeting in Italy, Barcelona has confirmed PARIS (AP) -- EuroLeague…

    Jerome Pugmire

    Read on Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer (opens in a new tab)