The National Basketball Association is actively pursuing a significant global expansion, with Commissioner Adam Silver leading discussions to establish a new European league, aiming to attract top continental clubs and redefine the landscape of professional basketball overseas.

Central to these ambitious plans is the high-profile meeting between NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and leaders from Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid in Paris. These discussions reportedly centered on the possibility of the esteemed club signing on with Silver’s proposed European venture, indicating a serious intent to draw in major European basketball entities.

Real Madrid, currently holding an “A” license in the EuroLeague, is guaranteed a spot in that competition annually, a privilege set to expire in 2026. Given the team’s reportedly tenuous relationship with the EuroLeague, the NBA sees a prime opportunity to entice such a foundational club to defect to its new league, potentially sparking a domino effect among other teams.

Beyond Real Madrid, reliable sources on both sides of the Atlantic indicate that the NBA’s early talks are keenly focused on several other existing EuroLeague franchises as potential defectors. These include Barca Barcelona, ASVEL Basket of Villeurbanne – where former NBA superstar Tony Parker serves as team president – and Fenerbahçe Istanbul, suggesting a broad strategic approach to recruitment for the new European basketball league.

Commissioner Silver’s vision extends beyond existing EuroLeague clubs, as reports confirm he has also held talks with the German basketball team Alba Berlin about joining his league. Furthermore, a key component of this expansion involves establishing new franchises in major European markets, with specific interest in London and Paris, broadening the league’s footprint.

The proposed structure for Silver’s new venture could encompass up to 16 teams. This formidable setup is envisioned to include a mix of deeply capitalized investors, prominent defectors from the existing EuroLeague, and newly established franchises in strategic major markets like Paris and London, creating a robust and competitive framework.

The league’s anticipated funding model is expected to incorporate league ownership stakes for team investors, aligning interests and fostering long-term commitment. While this ambitious Basketball Expansion project holds immense potential, it is projected to take an estimated two to three years to fully bring the league online, reflecting the significant logistical and financial undertakings involved.

The accelerating pace of these high-level discussions underscores the NBA’s commitment to globalizing the sport. It reveals a high-stakes arena where powerful players are strategically shaping the future of basketball worldwide, signaling a transformative era for the sport’s international presence and competitive dynamics.