“Unused potential”
Basketball revolution? NBA wants to expand to Europe
03/27/2025 – 9:31 p.m.Reading time: 1 min.
The NBA is planning an expansion to Europe and examines the establishment of a new European league. Talks about this initiative have been running for a long time.
The NBA continues to drive its international ambitions – and focus more on Europe. As Commissioner Adam Silver explained after a league meeting in New York, the North American professional league together with the World Association Fiba tested the establishment of a new European basketball league.
The idea is not new, says Silver. For decades there have been talks about an expansion of the league to the European market. But now one is ready to “reach the next stage,” emphasized the NBA boss. Specific decisions have not yet been made, but Silver already mentioned the first key points: A league with twelve fixed franchises and four other changing teams is planned – whereby this model could still change.
NBA managing director Mark Tatum had recently commented on the subject. According to it, the European market offers “unused potential”. Despite the great popularity of the sport, the market share of basketball in Europe is only around one percent. Here you can see growth opportunities.