NBA receives billion-dollar offers for European clubs

It was not initially known which locations were involved. From Germany, Alba Berlin and Bayern Munich are considered promising candidates.

Mark Tatum, deputy commissioner of the NBA, told dpa: “The level of commitment and the size of the bids reflect the market’s confidence in our proposed model and the enormous, as yet untapped potential of European basketball.” The bids will now be examined in more detail and partners will be shortlisted “who share our vision and commitment to accelerating the growth of this sport across the continent.” Tatum did not comment on details.

NBA Europe wants to go to the big cities

The NBA wants to launch the European branch together with the world association Fiba in 2027. There should be up to twelve fixed starting places. There are also four teams that qualify for participation. The league is pushing into European metropolises such as London, Paris and Rome. There are not professional clubs everywhere that are eligible for such a starting position.

According to dpa information, there are more than 120 interested investors, including existing teams. This also includes clubs that currently play in the privately organized Euroleague. After the fronts between the Euroleague and the organizers of the new project had hardened for a long time, there should now be talks about possible cooperation again. The NBA wants to gradually announce the participants and the exact start date. The portal “The Athletic” quoted another source who expected “weeks of tough negotiations.”