The NBA is taking firm steps toward a possible expansion in Europe, an initiative confirmed by Mark Tatum, the NBA Deputy Commissioner, during recent conversations. He reaffirmed the intentions to expand the NBA into the European continent in collaboration with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), with which they have been holding discussions for some time.
The NBA, which seeks to increase its number of franchises, aims to add at least two new teams to its league, and Europe has gained renewed relevance in these discussions. “We have not made any definitive decisions, but I believe there is a huge opportunity here,” said Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner, a month ago. This suggests that the league is committed to carefully evaluating its entry into the European market, where the quality of basketball is indisputable.
Expanding the NBA’s borders
Mark Tatum also highlighted the importance of these conversations: “We are working with FIBA and our partners in Europe to seize this opportunity to grow basketball there,” Tatum indicated. This underscores the NBA’s interest in expanding its global influence, as there is currently a record 125 foreign players from 43 nationalities in the league, demonstrating the international appeal of American basketball.
Regarding the structure of future collaboration, Tatum mentioned that they are still in the preliminary phase of discussions and that there is no set timeline. However, the NBA believes that “there is no doubt that there is an opportunity for basketball to continue growing in Europe.” The league sees potential in the continent, which often considers basketball the second most popular sport, but whose market share remains limited.
Moreover, Silver warned about the challenges facing basketball in Europe: “It is a fact that many investors lose significant amounts of money every year,” he explained. This highlights the need for a sustainable model that would allow the NBA to establish a successful presence on the continent.
In talks with FIBA
Jorge Garbajosa, President of FIBA Europe, also emphasized the NBA’s interest in collaborating with his organization: “They are very interested in coming to Europe. The condition they set is to come hand in hand with FIBA, which speaks very well of our organization,” he stated.
As the conversations progress, the NBA seems increasingly close to realizing its ambition of entering the European market. With the collaboration of FIBA and a focus on developing basketball on the continent, the league could be on the brink of a new era. The union of these forces could not only transform the face of European basketball but also provide fans with a high-level spectacle that combines the best of both worlds.
