The NBA’s plans to launch a 16-team European league as early as 2027 have hit a major roadblock after EuroLeague shareholder clubs rejected the NBA’s initial proposal to collaborate and create a unified NBA Europe operation.
The NBA wants to establish a new European basketball competition that could debut during the 2027-28 season, but the league now appears headed toward a direct battle with EuroLeague rather than a partnership.
According to Front Office Sports, a supermajority of the 13 EuroLeague shareholder clubs rejected the NBA’s proposal during a meeting in Cernobbio, Italy. Barcelona, Fenerbahçe and Olympiacos were among the clubs reported to have voted against the proposal.
The development could dramatically reshape the European basketball landscape.
Why Did EuroLeague Reject the NBA?
The precise financial and structural details of the NBA’s proposal have not been publicly disclosed.
However, Front Office Sports reports that EuroLeague owners believed the proposal undervalued their league and included a condition that EuroLeague pause its planned expansion.
Those terms reportedly did not sit well with clubs that have spent years building their own European basketball brands.
EuroLeague currently has 20 teams, including 13 permanent shareholder clubs. The league has been working toward expanding to as many as 24 teams by the 2027-28 season, while also moving toward a franchise-based structure.
Reuters reported that the 13 shareholder clubs agreed to move toward converting their existing long-term licenses into franchises, giving those clubs a more permanent stake in the competition. The clubs stopped short of formally approving expansion from 20 to 24 teams.
In other words, EuroLeague appears to be strengthening its own position rather than simply joining the NBA’s proposed operation.
NBA Europe Is Still Moving Forward
The rejection does not appear to have stopped the NBA’s European ambitions.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver previously said the league was targeting a 16-team competition for the 2027-28 season and would move forward even if an agreement with EuroLeague could not be reached.
The proposed structure is expected to include 12 permanent franchises and four additional spots that could be filled through a qualification or modified promotion/relegation system.
The NBA has also received significant interest from potential ownership groups across Europe, with reported franchise bids ranging from roughly $500 million to $1 billion in several target markets.
The NBA has been targeting major basketball markets including cities such as London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Rome, Berlin, Munich, Athens and Istanbul.
NBA Europe vs. EuroLeague?
That’s where things could get extremely interesting.
Rather than creating one unified European basketball powerhouse, the continent could soon have two competing elite competitions fighting for teams, players, fans, sponsors and media rights.
The NBA has the world’s most powerful basketball brand and enormous commercial resources.
EuroLeague, meanwhile, already has established clubs with deep histories and passionate fan bases across Europe.
That includes some of the biggest names in European basketball, such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Olympiacos and Fenerbahçe.
The two leagues could also find themselves competing for some of the same cities and ownership groups.
Front Office Sports reported that clubs including London Lions, Napoli Basketball and Maxima Roma have expressed interest in joining either EuroLeague or NBA Europe.
Could the NBA and EuroLeague Still Work Together?
Possibly.
The rejection of the NBA’s initial proposal does not necessarily mean negotiations are over.
Sources cited by Front Office Sports expect the development to potentially lead to more formal negotiations over a future collaboration.
Reuters also reported that the door remains open for additional discussions.
But the latest development makes one thing clear:
The NBA’s European expansion is no longer simply a partnership story. It could become a battle for control of the future of European basketball.
And with the NBA targeting a 2027 launch, there isn’t much time for both sides to figure out whether they can coexist—or compete.
WHAT WE KNOW
🏀 NBA Europe launch: Targeting the 2027-28 season
👥 Proposed league size: 16 teams
🏆 Proposed structure: 12 permanent franchises plus four additional/qualifying spots
🌍 Target markets: Major European cities including London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Rome, Berlin, Munich, Athens and Istanbul
❌ EuroLeague decision: Shareholder clubs rejected the NBA’s initial collaboration proposal
🏢 EuroLeague: Currently has 20 teams
📈 EuroLeague expansion: The league is considering growing to as many as 24 teams
💰 Franchise interest: NBA Europe has received reported bids in the $500 million-$1 billion range from potential ownership groups
🤝 Future negotiations: Still possible despite the rejection
📅 Potential showdown: NBA Europe and EuroLeague could operate as competing top-level European basketball competitions
What Happens Next?
The next several months could be critical.
The NBA appears determined to establish its European league, while EuroLeague is simultaneously strengthening its own business structure and preparing for potential expansion.
If the two sides ultimately cannot reach an agreement, European basketball could enter an unprecedented era of competition between two major leagues.
For players and fans, that could mean more high-level basketball.
For the leagues and clubs, however, it could mean a fight over who controls Europe’s basketball future.
NBA Europe vs. EuroLeague.
The battle may have already begun.
