Discussion around expanding the NBA returned to the spotlight once again. That being said, one idea continues to gain steam, and the solution lies across the pond.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently discussed the possibility of a new men’s basketball league in Europe. That news came in a joint announcement with the International Basketball Federation Secretary General, Andreas Zagklis.
“One of the things I’m fascinated in exploring… is to the extent we have the ability to create a league from scratch,” Silver said on Thursday. “How would we do things different based on 79 years of learning in the NBA and based on decades of learning for FIBA?”
The idea remains a bold one. In the context of NBA history, the league primarily focused on adding more teams within the United States, with the lone exceptions being Canada’s Vancouver and Toronto. Yet, there are plenty of pros and cons both ways with this unprecedented proposal, should it come to fruition.
So, would Silver’s dream for NBA expansion into another continent be a dream or a nightmare?
What angle is the NBA taking to build a strong presence in Europe right now? What challenges lie ahead? Would fans even be interested?
Here are some thoughts to consider.
What we know about The NBA’s Interest in Europe
Specifics on how this new league looks remain incredibly preliminary. So far, Silver has provided a few basic numbers for fans to digest.
First, Silver during the joint announcement brought up a 16-team league. Within that, 12 teams would classify as “permanent members” with four additional spots available to “play into or be relegated out of the group each season.”
In addition, Silver mentioned multiple options for potential franchises in this new league. Those listed included existing club teams, possible “defectors” from the Euroleague, and brand new teams. Silver hinted that teams picked would be in a combination of “proven” markets and European capital cities, plus “underserved current and future hotbeds.”
That said, the league clarified that it is in the process of exploring the idea and is not fully announcing anything formal just yet.
Leading up to the joint announcement, the NBA’s board of governors expressed support for the idea, Silver said.
The case for NBA-European expansion
The NBA and FIBA cite multiple reasons for pursuing a new league in Europe.
Basketball sits as the second-most popular sport in Europe, trailing just soccer, according to the NBA. Both the NBA and FIBA say there’s an “opportunity gap” between basketball popularity and how it’s being commercialized in Europe.
In other words: untapped potential.
Second, consider the rising number of players coming from Europe (and other parts of the world) to play in the NBA. This past NBA season saw a record number of international players. Also, a record number of current and former players from the NBA and WNBA competed in the most recent Olympic Games.
As fans are seeing, from the Olympics and current rosters to even prospects in the draft, basketball continues to grow on the world stage.
“There is untapped potential in European club basketball,” Zagklis said. “A new league in Europe would combine the NBA’s business acumen with the international expertise of FIBA to attract new basketball fans and investors alike, maximize club benefits, and establish synergies for the benefit of all stakeholders.”
Lastly, also keep in mind who the NBA is competing with for eyeballs. In the U.S., that’s football.
College football kicks off its season at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Ireland. It’s been doing so since 2022. The NFL scheduled games for 2025 in Brazil, Germany, Spain, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Potential problems and factors to consider
While the idea boasts potential, there are a few inherent issues.
First, factor in the obvious logistical concerns. Just how much would this cost? Is the plan itself realistic? Consider that the NBA essentially needs to create an entire league from scratch.
However, the bigger problem to address is fan interest, especially domestically.
There’s a case fans here in the U.S. want Silver and the league to address the NBA’s current challenges. Among them: declining television ratings, the length of the season itself, media coverage, the All-Star Game and interest (especially among superstar) players during the regular season.
Expanding into Europe, considering the factors mentioned earlier, remains a smart idea in the long term. In the immediate, it doesn’t help the current league or its fans.
Down the road, the proposal is classified as daring, future-focused, and unprecedented in NBA history. The question remains whether the NBA’s priority should be expanding its borders or focusing on its current ones.
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