Adam Silver has made the NBA’s position on a European league clear. There will still be some time to wait until we see an NBA Europe happening. As the NBA is doing its best to establish a global empire of sorts, it has big plans for Europe. Not only are there plans for major European cities to host regular-season games, but the NBA has been in talks with relevant stakeholders about establishing a European league, similar to what the NBA did in Africa with the BAL, or Basketball Africa League. In a recent event, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made the NBA’s plans clear.
The NBA has some big plans to expand its reach into Europe and beyond
As the major American sports make their way onto the global stage, the NBA is aiming not to fall behind. The NFL has recently stated its plans to host regular-season games all over the world. The NHL has experienced an uptick in viewership recently, thanks to some changes as well. So it comes as no surprise that the NBA is considering an expansion of the sport of basketball.
As part of that expansion, the NBA is planning to invite some European cities to host regular-season games in the calendar, as opposed to just a few preseason games. Speaking at a recent NBA event for the Boys & Girls Club in Oklahoma City, Silver stated that the plans and discussions are ongoing. Considering the market and the fact that basketball is a huge sport globally, the approach needs to be considered carefully.
The NBA has become a truly global stage for the best players in the world. In years past, the NBA was dominated by American players, and only rarely did a European player make the headlines. Players like Dirk Nowitzki were a dime a dozen and a valuable asset to have in your squad. Europeans have a different way of approaching the game.
How long will the European fans of the NBA have to wait for their own league?
The key here is that there is already a European league, so the NBA needs to discuss the expansion and creation of a new European NBA league with all the relevant stakeholders. The discussions have reportedly been going well, and most teams in Europe are looking to sign on as the majority of them are losing money every year. So, a new NBA European League can only benefit the sport of basketball if done correctly.
At the event in Oklahoma City, Adam Silver had the following to say about a possible expansion,
“I will say it’s measured in years, not months. So, we’re at least a couple years away from launching. It would be an enormous undertaking. And while we want to move forward at a deliberate pace, we also want to make sure that we’re consulting with all the appropriate stakeholders, meaning the existing league, its teams.
As the season winds down, the teams in the NBA are focused on their plans for next season. The NBA is focused on increasing its global reach, and this new NBA Europe League will surely assist in promoting the sport and establishing an infrastructure for future European talent. Regardless of the NBA’s plans, the best players in Europe tend to hit a ceiling before making their way to America, such as Luka Doncic, who won nearly everything in Spain with Real Madrid.
European players are dominating the NBA in America. Can they do the same in Europe?
The long-term question for the NBA becomes, will the best players in Europe opt to stay at their respective clubs instead of making their way to the shores of America to play in the NBA? The relevant stakeholders for an NBA expansion are in discussions on the best way to bring the NBA to Europe, and according to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, that might take longer than expected. With the Finals featuring a certain international MVP, the evidence for an expansion of the sport is clear for the world, and indeed the NBA, to see.
