NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed during the 2026 NBA Finals that the league's ambitious plans for a new independent European league are firmly on schedule, targeting a launch by the 2027-28 season. Speaking before Game 1 of the Finals, Silver highlighted the significant progress made, noting that final bids from prospective franchises are due by the end of June 2026.
This initiative, a joint effort between the NBA and FIBACompetition·FIBA, basketball's global governing body, has seen "record interest" from potential investors and clubs. The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for European basketball, underscored by the burgeoning superstardom of San Antonio SpursTeam·San Antonio Spurs' center Victor WembanyamaPlayer·Victor Wembanyama, who has led his team to the Finals in just his second season.
Silver outlined a vision for a 16-team league, initially comprising 12 permanent franchises and four additional spots determined by qualification. A key focus for the league's structure is competitive balance, with Silver stating a desire to avoid a "top-heavy league" akin to European soccer's Champions League, instead aiming for a model where all teams have a genuine path to championship contention.
Integration with the existing NBA ecosystem is also a long-term goal. Silver envisions European teams potentially competing in the NBA CupCompetition·NBA Cup, the league's midseason tournament, and even participating in the NBA playoffs as top seeds from their own league. Regular-season matchups between European and NBA teams are considered "very doable" in the future, building on the success of the NBA Global Games.
Discussions have already commenced with various European clubs regarding potential membership, including prominent names like Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid and Alba BerlinTeam·Alba Berlin. Silver specifically cited Alba BerlinTeam·Alba Berlin as a model club for the prospective league. However, the Commissioner acknowledged that European arena infrastructure currently falls short of NBA standards, lacking modern amenities and sufficient capacity, a challenge that will need to be addressed. He also emphasized the importance of respecting the rich traditions of European basketball while incorporating NBA innovations.
The financial model for the new league will initially rely on funding from the selected member clubs, with the understanding that it will require a "very long-term perspective" from investors to become a commercially viable enterprise. The inspiration for this significant expansion is deeply rooted in the current "golden era" of European basketball, marked by the success of stars such as Nikola JokicPlayer·Nikola Jokic, Giannis AntetokounmpoPlayer·Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka DoncicPlayer·Luka Doncic, and Victor WembanyamaPlayer·Victor Wembanyama in the NBA.
The proposed league could reshape the international basketball landscape, potentially creating competition with established European competitions like the EuroLeagueCompetition·EuroLeague. While reports have suggested the EuroLeagueCompetition·EuroLeague might consider legal action, Silver believes there is "plenty of room for competition" and that a direct clash is not inevitable.
Silver's remarks were made as the San Antonio SpursTeam·San Antonio Spurs, with their 62-20 regular-season record and Western Conference 2nd seed, prepared to face the New York KnicksTeam·New York Knicks, who finished 53-29 as the Eastern Conference 3rd seed, in the 2026 NBA Finals. The Spurs, under head coach Mitch JohnsonCoach·Mitch Johnson, made a remarkable 40-game improvement from the previous season, while the Knicks entered the Finals on an 11-game postseason winning streak, having also won the 2025 NBA CupCompetition·NBA Cup against these same Spurs.
Victor Wembanyama in action during a San Antonio Spurs game. ZUMA Press/IMAGO
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