Adam Silver confirms NBA's European league on track for 2027 start

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver affirmed that the league's European expansion remains on its projected timeline, targeting the 2027-28 season for launch, with or without a deal with EuroLeague.

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We are very much on schedule. Our intention and expectation is that the league will start in the 2027-28 season in Europe.

Speaking at a press conference in San Antonio ahead of the NBA Finals, Silver stated, "We are very much on schedule. Our intention and expectation is that the league will start in the 2027-28 season in Europe." He noted that final franchise bids are due by the end of June, indicating significant progress in the planning stages.

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The final bids from franchises must be submitted at the end of this month, i.e., the end of June.

Silver highlighted the "record interest" generated by the project, with numerous franchises vying for one of the twelve permanent spots in the new league. An additional four teams will qualify through merit. The NBA is actively pursuing negotiations with EuroLeague to find a way to integrate their operations, but Silver emphasized that the league will move forward regardless of the outcome of these discussions.

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The project is generating record interest in securing one of the twelve permanent spots in the competition.

The initiative, developed in conjunction with FIBA, aims to establish a new league separate from EuroLeague initially. The plan is for the league to commence in October 2027 with 16 participating teams, twelve of which will hold permanent licenses. The NBA is reportedly targeting established European basketball powerhouses like Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as exploring the creation of new teams in cities such as London and Manchester, which have less basketball tradition.

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We would like to find a way to integrate these operations with EuroLeague, but we will move forward in any case.