NBA and FIBA stay committed to European league after EuroLeague rejects proposal

The EuroLeague has rejected a proposal from the NBA related to NBA Europe, according to Anadolu Agency and ESPN. After the rejection, the NBA and FIBA said they remain committed to the project.

In a joint statement, the NBA and FIBA said they remain committed to moving forward with a new professional men's league in Europe. ESPN reported that the statement was released on Thursday, 8 October 2026.

"The NBA and FIBA remain committed to moving forward with a new professional men's league in Europe and helping build a stronger, more sustainable basketball ecosystem alongside partners who share our vision of growth, opportunity and the core principles of the European sports model," the statement said, according to ESPN.

What is reported

According to ESPN, the NBA presented a formal merger offer to the EuroLeague last month. This followed nearly two years of work on the project. Unnamed sources cited by ESPN said EuroLeague leadership met this week at Lake Como, Italy, and voted to turn down the offer. The reports do not include the vote count or how individual owners voted. They also do not describe the financial or structural terms of the offer.

ESPN reported that EuroLeague members discussed expanding the league beyond its current 13 license holders. The reports do not say whether a decision was taken. According to ESPN, the EuroLeague was formed in 2001, after two rival leagues competed for a season. FIBA operated one of them. The league expanded to 20 teams in 2025-26.

According to ESPN, the NBA has collected expansion offers for new franchises in Western Europe and has interest from existing teams. It plans a 16-team league that could start as early as 2027. ESPN also reported that multiple EuroLeague members have had extensive talks with the NBA and are believed to be seriously interested in joining. The reports do not name those clubs.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver and deputy commissioner Mark Tatum, who leads the European project, are in Macao this week for the league's China Games, according to ESPN.

What each side says

• NBA and FIBA: "A partnership between the EuroLeague, FIBA and the NBA to unify the European basketball ecosystem would unlock the game's enormous potential across Europe for the benefit of clubs, players and, most importantly, fans," the joint statement said, according to ESPN.
• EuroLeague leadership: Unnamed sources cited by ESPN said leadership viewed the offer as undervaluing the league. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include an on-the-record EuroLeague statement explaining the decision.
• FC Barcelona: According to ESPN, the club and the league would be open to considering an amended offer from the NBA and FIBA. Unnamed sources cited by ESPN said there is still an open door to negotiation. The reports do not include an NBA or FIBA response, or say whether an amended offer is planned.
• ESPN's characterization: ESPN described the possible EuroLeague expansion as a move potentially designed to block the NBA from certain cities and partners.

Anadolu Agency's report was available to Vocemundi only as a headline and summary. Most details in this article rest on ESPN's reporting.

Analysis

The rejection does not appear to end talks. ESPN's reporting points to two possible paths. In one, the parties return to negotiations, possibly over an amended offer, as Barcelona's reported openness suggests. In the other, the NBA and FIBA pursue a separate league while the EuroLeague considers expansion, which could lead to competition for clubs, cities and partners. Key details remain unclear, including the offer's terms, the vote breakdown and which clubs are interested. Those details are likely to shape how clubs, players and fans are affected. Neither outcome is settled based on the reports reviewed by Vocemundi.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.