EuroLeague shareholder clubs rejected a collaboration proposal from the National Basketball Association -NBA- on Tuesday, according to ‘Reuters’, citing sources familiar with the discussions. Other European media also reported the rejection. The decision does not rule out an agreement, but coincides with an institutional step confirmed by the European competition: moving forward with converting its 13 shareholders’ licences into franchises. The meeting in Cernobbio, Italy, leaves two projects advancing to reshape European basketball, with talks still open over possible collaboration between EuroLeague and NBA Europe.
According to ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’, the proposal required EuroLeague to retain its current structure and halt both expansion and the transition to franchises. Other media have described an acquisition proposal, although its scope and terms remain publicly unconfirmed by the parties. Those reports point to a disagreement over the competition’s leadership and structure, as well as its financial valuation. EuroLeague had reiterated its willingness to collaborate before the meeting, so rejecting this offer does not mean ruling out a revised proposal.
EuroLeague turns long-term participation into an asset
The move towards franchises aims to provide a more stable relationship than the current ten-year licences and make that continuity a source of value for clubs and investors. Euroleague Basketball President Dejan Bodiroga and CEO Chus Bueno presented progress on the strategic roadmap and ten-year business plan. For the 13 shareholders, the transformation extends a position that already combines sporting participation with ownership of the organisation. Under the approach announced in July, their conversion will carry no entry fee, while new entrants must undergo evaluation, secure approval and sign the relevant agreements. Stability can support investment planning, although the eventual value will also depend on each franchise’s revenues and obligations.
EuroLeague retains its announced target of reaching 24 teams in 2027–28, while approval of new franchises and the final expansion arrangements remain pending. On Tuesday, the owners instructed the Board of Directors to continue its evaluation and present a final recommendation in the coming weeks. The July plan envisaged up to eight new franchises, two places for clubs qualifying through the EuroCup, and flexibility to award wildcards. Those eight franchises do not necessarily mean eight additional participants beyond the current 20, as they may include teams already competing. At the time, EuroLeague reported more than 20 formal proposals representing over €1.2 billion in potential investment, with interest from Rome, Berlin and London. These were proposals announced in July, rather than funds already received or a valuation of the competition. Entry fees will be determined individually according to each project’s market, track record and fanbase.
What NBA Europe proposes with FIBA
The NBA is developing its initiative alongside the International Basketball Federation -FIBA-, targeting a 2027 launch with a proposed 16-team format comprising 12 permanent participants and four annual qualifiers. The official framework envisages qualification through the Basketball Champions League -BCL- or an end-of-season qualifying tournament, alignment with domestic league and national team schedules, and resources for academies and development programmes. “The format of the league respects European sport model principles,” FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis said in the December 2025 announcement about engaging prospective participants and owners. Major European cities feature among the project’s target markets, but no definitive list of awarded franchises has yet been announced.
Both projects seek stability to attract investment and retain sporting qualification pathways, although they start from different structures: EuroLeague is controlled by its shareholder clubs, while NBA Europe is being developed through the NBA-FIBA partnership. Collaboration would require agreement on leadership, commercial rights, places in the competition and clubs’ existing commitments. There is also a geographical difference: according to ‘AS’, reducing the field to 16 teams and excluding cities such as Belgrade or Kaunas from the NBA’s initial target markets prompted reservations among owners. The debate therefore concerns the choice of major commercial markets alongside the continued involvement of established basketball centres. Entry conditions also matter: EuroLeague’s plan provides for converting its shareholders’ licences without a fee, whereas some reports about the NBA offer describe payments to join its model, a detail not publicly confirmed by the parties.
Two timelines and decisions ahead
EuroLeague will continue evaluating potential entrants before submitting a final recommendation for approval, while the NBA maintains its intention to launch in 2027. In September, Commissioner Adam Silver reiterated that the project would proceed even without an agreement with the European competition. Separately, an executive consulted by ‘Reuters’ considered it difficult to organise a joint initiative before 2028. That is an assessment attributed to a source, rather than an official postponement of NBA Europe. Awarding franchises and signing contracts could shape future discussions by establishing which clubs and owners are committed to each structure, and on what terms.
On Tuesday, George Aivazoglou, the NBA’s Managing Director for Europe and the Middle East, took part in a Sportico event in London. According to ‘AS’, he described NBA Europe as a top-tier competition combining permanent places with sporting qualification, and the Champions League as a second tier that would be 75% open, without the report identifying which participants would occupy the remaining 25%. He is scheduled to speak again at Leaders Week on Thursday, where the agenda promises an update on the new league, the investment proposition for franchises and its commercial strategy. He will join representatives of RedBird Capital Partners and Brentford FC for a session focusing on how the project intends to build and develop its value.
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