The NBA Europe project is in full swing and Adam Silver spoke about it ahead of last night's game between the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies as part of the NBA Global Games. The project is set to launch in the fall of 2027.
The idea is for the project to cover major cities with high tourist potential, even those without a strong basketball culture and to become an economically independent system that generates significant revenue for the participating clubs.
However, this is a major blow to the EuroLeague , the top competition outside the NBA, which could face an exodus of its biggest clubs, teams with massive fan bases that create unforgettable atmospheres every game. For this reason, the EuroLeague has threatened legal action against the NBA.
"The EuroLeague has officially informed the NBA that legal action may be taken if discussions about a new project in Europe between the US league and clubs that have already committed to the EuroLeague for the next ten years occur," Aris Barkas from "Eurohoops" wrote.
"According to Eurohoops sources, a letter was sent to the NBA by the EuroLeague last week and all EuroLeague clubs currently holding an A license have been informed," Barkas added.
Clubs like Real Madrid, which produced Luka Doncic and Barcelona, which produced the Gasol brothers, are two of the largest markets in Europe. Their departure would be a huge blow to the EuroLeague. Fenerbahce, the current champions, is also historically and culturally important to the league, while Asvel, though less successful so far, is an ambitious project led by Tony Parker .
The problem for the EuroLeague is that it generates virtually no profit for its stakeholders. Clubs must pay multi-year license fees just to participate, which makes the system economically unsustainable for many. NBA Europe could provide a way for these clubs to strengthen their finances.
Another key point: if these major clubs leave, they could easily take smaller clubs with them, potentially leading to the collapse of the EuroLeague.
But despite all that, not everyone is convinced the NBA Europe plan will succeed. Brian Windhorst issued a warning about the league's massive expansion plan .
"I'm skeptical of its success because, from my understanding, Belgrade is not a place they are trying to target. Belgrade is the heart of international basketball outside of America. When Israeli teams had to evacuate Israel because of the war, they went to Belgrade. That wasn't an accident; they went there for a reason," Brian explained.
"The thing about it is they want to do this by partnering with gigantic soccer teams like Manchester City and PSG, which have incredible histories and infrastructure. Obviously, Barcelona and Madrid already have established basketball teams tied to their soccer clubs and the NBA wants to recruit them as well," Windhorst said.
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Cities like Rome, Berlin, London and Manchester are expected to be part of the project. The real challenge will be whether NBA Europe can actually create a basketball culture there over the next few years. Money can generate many things today, but some things, like decades of European basketball history built through the EuroLeague, cannot be bought.
Over the years, big clubs in the EuroLeague have produced players like Drazen Petrovic , Toni Kukoc and Arvydas Sabonis and have long-standing traditions that are already firmly established.
But with Silver's ambition, never say never, though this could be the toughest test of his career so far.
Either way, it will be fascinating to watch how this story unfolds.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jan 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
