NBA Europe Takes Shape with Real Madrid, Barcelona Set to Join
NBA Europe is getting closer to becoming a reality. Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne are expected to be the first big-name teams to join the new league, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
Former EuroLeague team ALBA Berlin will also get a permanent spot.
This lineup shows the NBA isn’t messing around. They’re bringing in some of Europe’s basketball powerhouses right from the start, which should help attract fans from day one.
George Aivazoglou, who runs NBA Europe, confirmed they’re aiming to launch in October 2027. The league will have 12 permanent teams spread across Europe’s biggest basketball markets.
“We’re talking with some existing basketball teams. We’re also talking with football clubs that have a strong brand but don’t have a basketball team… and there are places where we’ll be starting from scratch,” Aivazoglou told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The cities getting teams include Rome, Milan, London, Manchester, Paris, Lyon, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Munich, Athens, and Istanbul.
According to BasketNews, Galatasaray will likely be Turkey’s only team. Paris Basketball’s future might depend on whether the NBA can strike a deal with Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain.
Not Just an Exclusive Club
The league won’t be completely closed off. Aivazoglou revealed NBA Europe will actually feature 16 teams – 12 permanent spots and 4 that can change based on performance.
“One will come from the FIBA Basketball Champions League, which is our partner, and three more from domestic leagues,” he said. “That’s the most intriguing part because it gives everyone something to aim for.”
NBA vs. NBA Europe Games on the Horizon?
Could we eventually see European teams facing off against LeBron James and the Lakers?
Aivazoglou hinted that’s exactly where this is heading. “It would be a new competition bringing together NBA and NBA Europe teams – down the line, an NBA Cup format… as part of an increasingly integrated framework,” he said.
If everything goes according to plan, NBA Europe could completely change global basketball by bringing together the best clubs and delivering the NBA brand directly to European fans.
