A Euro-Step Forward? Silver meets with Real Madrid

• NBA Commissioner Adam Silver visited Real Madrid and spoke with EuroLeague officials about future collaboration.
• Silver is open to deeper NBA-EuroLeague ties, possibly including a global competition or interleague games
• Discussions are part of the NBA’s broader international strategy, though no official plans have been confirmed

In a significant move towards establishing the NBA's presence in Europe, Commissioner Adam Silver and his executive team met with Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid in Paris to discuss potential partnership opportunities, reports The Athletic.

Combined with a host of other high-level talks across Europe marks a crucial step in the NBA's ambitious plans to create a European basketball league.

Strategic Discussions in Europe

The high-level talks included Silver, NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum, and the league's European and Middle East director George Aivazoglou. Their meeting with Real Madrid officials raised eyebrows given the club's prestigious standing in European sports, unlimited financial resources from its successful soccer operations, and its current position within the existing EuroLeague structure.

Real Madrid currently holds an "A" license in the EuroLeague, guaranteeing them a spot in Europe's premier basketball competition. However, this license expires in 2026, creating a potential opportunity for the NBA to secure the Spanish giant for its new venture. Basketball insiders believe that if Real Madrid commits to Silver's project, other EuroLeague clubs would likely follow suit.

Beyond Madrid, Silver's team has conducted several strategic meetings across Europe.

In London, they met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and London Mayor Sadiq Khan ahead of the January Global Games series between the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies. London, with its population of nearly nine million and metropolitan area of approximately 15 million, represents a key market for the proposed NBA Europe league.

The United Kingdom offers significant potential, given the financial success of the Premier League and the possibility of attracting Middle Eastern sovereign fund investments. The current British Basketball League champion, London Lions - recently saved from collapse by tech company Tesonet - demonstrates both the challenges and opportunities in the UK market.

Financial Backing and Strategic Partners

Silver's European tour included discussions with four major private equity firms, CVC, RedBird, Bridgepoint, and KKR, reflecting the substantial financial infrastructure being assembled for this venture. Additionally, meetings with Turkish club Galatasaray highlight the NBA's interest in established sports organisations with dual football and basketball operations.

In Paris, sources indicate Silver has engaged with Qatar Sports Investments, the owner of football giant Paris Saint-Germain, about potentially creating a new Parisian basketball team for his league. Paris already hosts Paris Basketball, which competes in both the French national league and EuroLeague.

According to sources familiar with the early discussions, the NBA is monitoring four existing EuroLeague franchises as potential candidates to join the new venture: Real Madrid, Barca Barcelona, ASVEL Basket (led by former NBA star Tony Parker), and Fenerbahçe Istanbul.

The commissioner's vision reportedly includes a 16-team league featuring well-funded investors, some established EuroLeague teams, and new franchises in major European markets. The structure would likely incorporate both permanent franchises and promotion slots for teams that perform well in their national leagues or FIBA's Basketball Champions League.

The financial model is expected to include league ownership stakes for team investors, with a timeline of two to three years for the league to begin operations.

EuroLeague Response

While the NBA advances its plans, EuroLeague chief executive Paulius Motiejūnas remains confident about retaining key stakeholders.

"There's a lot of confusion," Motiejūnas stated in a recent interview. "NBA is still exploring. They're talking about another two, three years... We are growing. Why would you leave the league which is growing?"

Motiejūnas added, "I cannot see the future, but let's see. We are doing everything that's in our hands to grow the product and grow the league. And I'm sure the clubs are acknowledging that, and they will stay with us."

The NBA's European initiative represents one of the most significant global expansions in professional basketball history. By targeting established clubs like Real Madrid alongside new markets in London and Paris, the league aims to create a basketball product that can thrive in football-dominated European markets.

For basketball fans across Europe, this development could transform how the sport is presented, played, and consumed, potentially bringing NBA-level production and competition to local arenas. As discussions continue with key stakeholders, the shape of European basketball's future hangs in the balance.

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