Adam Silver has confirmed that the NBA's European league project won't launch for at least two years. The NBA Commissioner made this announcement in Oklahoma City during the Finals between the "Thunder" and "Indiana Pacers", clarifying the timeline for the ambitious international expansion.
"We're so early in the process that it's a bit difficult to establish a specific timeline right now," Silver explained while attending the NBA Finals. "So we're at least a couple of years away from launch."
The commissioner emphasized that while they want to move forward with this proposal, they're determined to properly consult with all relevant stakeholders first. This includes the "EuroLeague", players, media outlets, and marketing companies - covering all bases before making the major leap across the Atlantic.
Back in March, the NBA officially announced its intention to create a European league with FIBA as its partner following a Board of Governors meeting in New York. Interestingly, the "EuroLeague" was notably absent from this historic announcement - not surprising given its long-standing feud with FIBA.
The early vision for the competition features 16 teams, combining existing clubs and newly created franchises. Twelve spots would be permanent, while four positions would remain open for qualification. Games would run 40 minutes instead of the NBA's traditional 48, and the schedule would accommodate both FIBA and national competition calendars.
However, numerous questions remain unanswered. Which European cities might host these clubs? Which existing teams are interested in joining? Do any potential participants currently compete in the "EuroLeague"? And perhaps most importantly - when exactly will the first game tip off?
The next step toward making this European NBA dream a reality will likely come at the upcoming Board of Governors meeting scheduled for July in Las Vegas. Will this be the meeting where concrete details finally emerge? Basketball fans across Europe certainly hope so.
