The NBA is reportedly moving closer to agreements with several European football giants, including PSG, Barcelona, Bayern, Real Madrid, and AC Milan, as preparations for NBA Europe accelerate ahead of a crucial EuroLeague owners’ meeting.
The NBA is reportedly making significant progress in its efforts to bring some of Europe’s biggest football clubs into its planned NBA Europe competition.
According to The Athletic, the NBA is moving toward agreements with several European football powerhouses that could become anchor members of the new continental basketball league, which is scheduled to launch in October 2027.
The talks have gained momentum after months of discussions as NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum and George Aivazoglou, the league’s senior vice president overseeing Europe and the Middle East, attended the European Football Clubs annual conference in Copenhagen on Tuesday.
According to the report, the two NBA executives were seen holding private discussions with representatives of Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and AC Milan.
All five clubs have been linked with the NBA Europe project, although PSG and AC Milan currently do not operate basketball teams.
PSG, in particular, has long been viewed as one of the potential partners for establishing a new basketball club in Paris.
“Obviously, [Tatum] wouldn’t be invited here if things with the football clubs weren’t moving in the right direction,” an official from one of the interested football clubs told The Athletic.
NBA continues talks with EuroLeague
The developments come only days before another potentially significant moment for the future of European basketball.
EuroLeague shareholders are scheduled to meet in Italy on October 5, with the NBA Europe project expected to be one of the central topics.
The Athletic reports that EuroLeague shareholders will consider proposals from the NBA regarding a potential acquisition of EuroLeague and its integration with NBA Europe.
An NBA proposal for possible cooperation has already been submitted to EuroLeague, according to multiple reports, while NBA commissioner Adam Silver recently confirmed that negotiations between the organizations remain ongoing.
EuroLeague has also been developing its own expansion and permanent franchise model. Its management has previously confirmed discussions with the NBA while maintaining that it is exploring potential partnership opportunities.
NBA Europe plans 12 permanent teams
Speaking at the European Football Clubs conference, Tatum reiterated that NBA Europe is expected to feature 16 teams, including 12 permanent members and four additional spots.
The 12 anchor teams are currently planned for London, Paris, Rome, Milan, Berlin, Munich, Istanbul, Madrid, Athens, Barcelona, Manchester, and Lyon, according to The Athletic.
Tatum emphasized that the NBA views European football as an important model for the new competition.
“We’ve learned so much from European football over the years,” Tatum said, pointing to the NBA Cup and jersey sponsorship patches as concepts influenced by European sports.
The NBA is also looking for potential members to invest beyond their first-team basketball operations.
“The investment that we’re looking to create in this league in Europe is to bring more investment in basketball development, player development, through academies, investment in infrastructure and to really turn this into a commercially viable opportunity,” Tatum said.
He also highlighted the need for investment in grassroots basketball and new arenas, with several targeted NBA Europe markets currently lacking venues that meet the league’s desired standards.
The NBA has maintained that the project is scheduled to begin in October 2027 regardless of whether an agreement with EuroLeague is ultimately reached.
The NBA Doesn’t Understand European Basketball
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