A new basketball league is coming to Europe. NBA commissioner Adam Silver provided a little more clarity on Wednesday.
Speaking with reporters ahead of the 2026 NBA Finals, Silver confirmed the NBA is on track for its European subsidiary to launch next year and will soon stop accepting bids from interested teams:
“We are very much on schedule. It is our hope and anticipation that that league will launch in the 2027-28 season in Europe. We are on track. Final bids from franchises are due at the end of the month in June. As has been reported, we’ve seen record interest and we’re very excited about the ongoing opportunity and working closely with FIBA, our federation.”
Silver later said the league will “presumably” be in position to award franchises in the fall. When asked how the new league would be structured, he laid out a vision that features 16 teams, with some existing teams and some newly created, some permanent and some using a promotion/relegation system.
Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournament