Adam Silver has confirmed that the NBA's European league project won't see the light of day for at least two more years. The NBA commissioner spoke candidly about the timeline while attending the Finals series between "Thunder" and "Pacers" in Oklahoma City.
"We're so early in the process that it's a bit difficult to establish a specific timeline right now," Silver explained. "So we're at least a couple of years away from launch."
The commissioner emphasized their commitment to moving forward with the proposal but stressed the importance of proper consultation with all relevant stakeholders. This includes the "EuroLeague", players, media outlets, and marketing companies.
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" - which has been openly at odds with FIBA for some time - was notably absent from this historic announcement.
The early blueprint for this competition features 16 teams - 12 permanent spots and 4 open positions - comprising both existing clubs and newly created franchises. Games would run 40 minutes instead of the NBA's standard 48, with schedules designed to be compatible with both FIBA and national competitions.
However, numerous questions remain unanswered. Which European cities might host these teams? Which current clubs might join? Do any potential participants currently compete in the "EuroLeague"?
The next major development in this European venture is expected at the upcoming Board of Governors meeting in Las Vegas this July. Will this be the meeting where Silver finally reveals more concrete details about this ambitious international expansion? Basketball fans across Europe will certainly be watching closely.
