American journalist Joe Vardon revealed this Thursday in ‘The Athletic’ a piece of news that could significantly shape the future of European basketball: Adam Silver, NBA commissioner, met in Paris with Real Madrid executives to push forward the creation of an NBA league in Europe. According to the publication, “the addition of the football and basketball giant would represent a major step in launching the NBA’s international venture.”

This meeting is part of a plan that began to take shape on 27 March, when Silver and Andreas Zagklis, secretary general of FIBA, officially announced their intention to bring the NBA to Europe, following a meeting with the 30 U.S. franchises in New York. “Now is the time to create a league in Europe,” Silver stated in a press conference. The EuroLeague has proven to be the main obstacle, and the initial roadmap has since shifted: momentum has slowed and talks have intensified, with a potential launch timeline of two to three years.

Real Madrid considers leaving the EuroLeague

Real Madrid, one of the founding clubs of the current EuroLeague in the early 2000s, has maintained a dominant position ever since, holding an A license. However, that accreditation is set to expire in 2026, and the Spanish club has yet to confirm its renewal. This uncertainty opens the door to a possible departure.

For its part, the EuroLeague is trying to reinforce its structure by adjusting its format and expanding the number of teams. This season, it has confirmed the participation of 20 clubs and is considering a conference-based model, inspired by the American system. The renewal of its agreement with sports marketing giant IMG until 2036 strengthens its expansion and consolidation plans in response to the NBA’s push.

Four major clubs in Silver’s sights

The NBA commissioner has not limited his attention to Real Madrid. During his tour of Europe, he has focused on four key clubs: Real Madrid, Barcelona, ASVEL Villeurbanne and Fenerbahçe. All of them are reportedly engaged in advanced discussions to join the new tournament. “I can’t reveal the final structure, but there are several options. There’s an agreement with the EuroLeague,” said Joan Laporta, Barcelona president, to ‘Mundo Deportivo’.

The interest doesn’t stop there. In the French capital, the NBA delegation also met with representatives of Qatar Sports Investments, owners of Paris Saint-Germain, to discuss the creation of a new franchise aligned with the competition. This team would operate independently from the current Paris Basketball and would be supported by one of the most powerful investment groups in global sport.

Berlin and London, next stops

Silver’s trip also included strategic visits to Berlin and London. In the German capital, the talks focused on Alba Berlin, which left the EuroLeague this season to join the Basketball Champions League, organised by FIBA. The club is viewed as a valuable addition to the future NBA-Europe league due to its local market and sporting infrastructure.

In London, the NBA delegation held a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The aim was to finalise plans to host NBA games in Britain and lay the groundwork for a future franchise in the city. The NBA sees London as a top-tier market, thanks to its global appeal and sporting tradition, particularly in football.

“NBA and EuroLeague are in talks”

The upcoming continental competition would follow a hybrid model: fixed licenses similar to the current EuroLeague, combined with places awarded on sporting merit. A 16-team format is the working target, blending historic European clubs, new franchises and teams backed by international investors. Key priorities include financial stability, broadcasting appeal and global reach.

The NBA-Europe project negotiations are shaping a new landscape. “I know that the NBA and the EuroLeague are in talks, just like the NBA and FIBA. We’re listening to what they’re telling us,” Laporta said in a recent public statement on the matter.