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New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 1:01 am
by ___Rand___
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46285038/nba-silver-says-new-european-league-start-27-28

A new basketball league based in Europe that the NBA and FIBA are working together to launch could begin play in 2027 or '28, though no timeline has been finalized, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday.


Early plans call for the new league to have 16 teams, though that number could change. Existing European clubs like Real Madrid, Fenerbahce Istanbul and Barcelona are likely to figure into the NBA's plans for the new league, along with other top soccer brands like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.


hmmm this would be interesting. How are they going to incorporate the existing teams into the new league without hurting the domestic leagues?

Re: New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 1:06 am
by zimpy27
Honestly wonder if they are considering moving on from G league and making the European the development league. I mean NBA teams probably get more players from Europe now anyway.

Re: New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 1:11 am
by ___Rand___
zimpy27 wrote:Honestly wonder if they are considering moving on from G league and making the European the development league. I mean NBA teams probably get more players from Europe now anyway.


This sounds like a European superleague and not a developmental league. It could compete with NBA for 2nd tier stars in the future which I am sure is their ambition. A guy like Dennis Schroeder for instance. He's not appreciated in NBA but could be a star over there and make the same money as he's making in NBA.

Re: New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 1:16 am
by JShuttlesworth
Would they play FIBA rules? Would the NBA consider FIBA rules?

Re: New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 2:36 am
by Clav
Creating new clubs (like Man City, PSG) is interesting -- Are football fans going to also support their basketball version of the clubs lol It's kind of a weird experiment to generate a team like that.

So, really, I need to know if Chelsea will have an NBA team in Europe so I can be... a supporter ? I guess I'm interested in seeing how it actually works and if people buy in.

Re: New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 2:49 am
by RookieStar
___Rand___ wrote:
zimpy27 wrote:Honestly wonder if they are considering moving on from G league and making the European the development league. I mean NBA teams probably get more players from Europe now anyway.


This sounds like a European superleague and not a developmental league. It could compete with NBA for 2nd tier stars in the future which I am sure is their ambition. A guy like Dennis Schroeder for instance. He's not appreciated in NBA but could be a star over there and make the same money as he's making in NBA.


Does it mention that salaries are the same?

Re: New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 3:17 am
by Mr Puddles
RookieStar wrote:
___Rand___ wrote:
zimpy27 wrote:Honestly wonder if they are considering moving on from G league and making the European the development league. I mean NBA teams probably get more players from Europe now anyway.


This sounds like a European superleague and not a developmental league. It could compete with NBA for 2nd tier stars in the future which I am sure is their ambition. A guy like Dennis Schroeder for instance. He's not appreciated in NBA but could be a star over there and make the same money as he's making in NBA.


Does it mention that salaries are the same?


Also, I'm assuming nba rules apply. Some guys strive under FIBA rules, but their games may not necessarily translate well to the NBA (just like some guys shine in college and then flop in the NBA)

Re: New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 3:34 am
by SNPA
Silver trying to get to those fans before James and Jokic’s league do.

Re: New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 5:26 am
by -Luke-
Clav wrote:Creating new clubs (like Man City, PSG) is interesting -- Are football fans going to also support their basketball version of the clubs lol It's kind of a weird experiment to generate a team like that.

So, really, I need to know if Chelsea will have an NBA team in Europe so I can be... a supporter ? I guess I'm interested in seeing how it actually works and if people buy in.

No English football fan will go to a basketball arena (maybe if drinks are on the house).

I wonder if the plan is to have a super league, like they planned in football/soccer years ago. Like, the teams are only playing in that league and not in their domestic leagues anymore. That could lead to some backlash with the fans, like it did with the football version. I'm pretty sure Bayern Munich and more Eastern/South Eastern teams will have a hard time selling that to their fans.

Re: New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 7:17 am
by pepe1991
zimpy27 wrote:Honestly wonder if they are considering moving on from G league and making the European the development league. I mean NBA teams probably get more players from Europe now anyway.


G league, from literally all POVs is most useless league in the world.

It's not developmental league because nobody develops due no focus on defense no team success. Nor focus on individual improvement. It's mostly just stat padding individuals who happen to wear same jersey.

It's not competitive league because winning means nothing. Who won last year ? Who was worst? Who cares?

it's not financially lucrative to get any more talent because you can make more money in China and especially on top tear Euroleague teams.

It's league where mostly delusional USA born players stay "near home" in hope one day they will get call up and shine in NBA. Most don't.

Like, when guys like Elfrid Payton are getting calls it's mostly just because he is one man tank job and teams like Pelicans or Hornets take him for 2 weeks to secure losing.

And whole "G league Ignite" was such a colossal flop. Especially how it was formed and how it was fabricated to help prospects look better than in college, yet still flopped and made it impossible for scouts & nba teams to evaluate players in such a strange setting. You had 19 years old playing ball with Amir Johnson & Jarrett Jack who at one point were serious starters on nba playoff teams.

Last nail in a coffin for G league was that " G league United" team that took on most rather average Euro team last summer. And lost in defacto wire-to-wire, blowout, fashion,losing by 15-20 whole game. Best example of everything wrong with G league where only thing G league players did whole game is 1 v 1 , and most basic pick & roll. Those players are worthless for most serious, competitive teams, even outside NBA, because their BBIQ is just isn't there, and they would need to go through process of "reprogramming", yet most of them are like 27 years old and too old to be worthy of trouble.

Unicaja that year played 3rd tear competition in Europe. Now imagine if they actually played against Fenerbahce or some other elite team.

Re: New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 7:19 am
by zimpy27
pepe1991 wrote:
zimpy27 wrote:Honestly wonder if they are considering moving on from G league and making the European the development league. I mean NBA teams probably get more players from Europe now anyway.


G league, from literally all POVs is most useless league in the world.

It's not developmental league because nobody develops due no focus on defense no team success. Nor focus on individual improvement. It's mostly just stat padding individuals who happen to wear same jersey.

It's not competitive league because winning means nothing. Who won last year ? Who was worst? Who cares?

it's not financially lucrative to get any more talent because you can make more money in China and especially on top tear Euroleague teams.

It's league where mostly delusional USA born players stay "near home" in hope one day they will get call up and shine in NBA. Most don't.

Like, when guys like Elfrid Payton are getting calls it's mostly just because he is one man tank job and teams like Pelicans or Hornets take him for 2 weeks to secure losing.

And whole "G league Ignite" was such a colossal flop. Especially how it was formed and how it was fabricated to help prospects look better than in college, yet still flopped and made it impossible for scouts & nba teams to evaluate players in such a strange setting. You had 19 years old playing ball with Amir Johnson & Jarrett Jack who at one point were serious starters on nba playoff teams.

Last nail in a coffin for G league was that " G league United" team that took on most rather average Euro team last summer. And lost in defacto wire-to-wire, blowout, fashion,losing by 15-20 whole game. Best example of everything wrong with G league where only thing G league players did whole game is 1 v 1 , and most basic pick & roll. Those players are worthless for most serious, competitive teams, even outside NBA, because their BBIQ is just isn't there, and they would need to go through process of "reprogramming", yet most of them are like 27 years old and too old to be worthy of trouble.

Unicaja that year played 3rd tear competition in Europe. Now imagine if they actually played against Fenerbahce or some other elite team.



That's why expect G league to be replaced by this new euro league.

Effectively getting European players to play in a league with NBA rules so that they can be adjusted quickly to be called to the NBA game. It's going to be a way to filter for players that excel in NBA rules.

Re: New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 7:32 am
by LuDux1
-Luke- wrote:
Clav wrote:Creating new clubs (like Man City, PSG) is interesting -- Are football fans going to also support their basketball version of the clubs lol It's kind of a weird experiment to generate a team like that.

So, really, I need to know if Chelsea will have an NBA team in Europe so I can be... a supporter ? I guess I'm interested in seeing how it actually works and if people buy in.

No English football fan will go to a basketball arena (maybe if drinks are on the house).

I wonder if the plan is to have a super league, like they planned in football/soccer years ago. Like, the teams are only playing in that league and not in their domestic leagues anymore. That could lead to some backlash with the fans, like it did with the football version. I'm pretty sure Bayern Munich and more Eastern/South Eastern teams will have a hard time selling that to their fans.


Unlikely
A new basketball league based in Europe that the NBA and FIBA are working together to launch could begin play in 2027 or '28, though no timeline has been finalized, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday.


More likely it's just like Eurolegue, but bit more compact, maybe bit more open and with English football money instead of Arab money (or is that's the same already?)

Re: New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 8:39 am
by -Luke-
LuDux1 wrote:
-Luke- wrote:
Clav wrote:Creating new clubs (like Man City, PSG) is interesting -- Are football fans going to also support their basketball version of the clubs lol It's kind of a weird experiment to generate a team like that.

So, really, I need to know if Chelsea will have an NBA team in Europe so I can be... a supporter ? I guess I'm interested in seeing how it actually works and if people buy in.

No English football fan will go to a basketball arena (maybe if drinks are on the house).

I wonder if the plan is to have a super league, like they planned in football/soccer years ago. Like, the teams are only playing in that league and not in their domestic leagues anymore. That could lead to some backlash with the fans, like it did with the football version. I'm pretty sure Bayern Munich and more Eastern/South Eastern teams will have a hard time selling that to their fans.


Unlikely
A new basketball league based in Europe that the NBA and FIBA are working together to launch could begin play in 2027 or '28, though no timeline has been finalized, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday.


More likely it's just like Eurolegue, but bit more compact, maybe bit more open and with English football money instead of Arab money (or is that's the same already?)

I think it's pretty much the same, although some clubs have US inverstors.

But I have to admit my memory of the Super League plans was wrong. The plan was that the teams stay in their respective domestic leagues. So it would have been more like the EuroLeague in basketball, and fans accept that. So maybe I'm wrong that fans wouldn't accept this new league.

I still doubt English fans would watch games though.

Re: New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 9:09 am
by sisibilio
___Rand___ wrote:https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46285038/nba-silver-says-new-european-league-start-27-28

A new basketball league based in Europe that the NBA and FIBA are working together to launch could begin play in 2027 or '28, though no timeline has been finalized, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday.


Early plans call for the new league to have 16 teams, though that number could change. Existing European clubs like Real Madrid, Fenerbahce Istanbul and Barcelona are likely to figure into the NBA's plans for the new league, along with other top soccer brands like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.


hmmm this would be interesting. How are they going to incorporate the existing teams into the new league without hurting the domestic leagues?

As far as i recall they'd still play domestic leagues, just not the Euroleague.

Re: New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 9:11 am
by sisibilio
zimpy27 wrote:.

Effectively getting European players to play in a league with NBA rules so that they can be adjusted quickly to be called to the NBA game. It's going to be a way to filter for players that excel in NBA rules.

This is being developed in conjunctión with FIBA so it's probably still played under FIBA rules.

Re: New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 10:12 am
by pepe1991
I just fail to see interest in such league in Europe where it could cover even near of salary cap & salary costs from NBA teams.

For start, near half of Europe countries don't give a crap about basketball. Even ones who do, still struggle to attract much interest in domestic leagues, including some of "big basketball countries".

Even whole "oil money" thing in football works because there is money to be made & interest of fans is just crazy.

Re: New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 10:22 am
by PlatinumState
Not a fan of this. Its not needed. Who tf benefits from europe clubs playing under a nba banner? Not the fans thats for sure. And whats the nba's angle here? Ticket prices in europe are much lower than the nba and people wont pay 100-150$ per ticket

Re: New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 10:28 am
by BruttoNostra
___Rand___ wrote:https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46285038/nba-silver-says-new-european-league-start-27-28

A new basketball league based in Europe that the NBA and FIBA are working together to launch could begin play in 2027 or '28, though no timeline has been finalized, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday.


Early plans call for the new league to have 16 teams, though that number could change. Existing European clubs like Real Madrid, Fenerbahce Istanbul and Barcelona are likely to figure into the NBA's plans for the new league, along with other top soccer brands like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.


hmmm this would be interesting. How are they going to incorporate the existing teams into the new league without hurting the domestic leagues?

The idea that "top soccer brands" might be part of the future league is beyond stupid.
Yes, most of the top teams have both soccer and bball teams, but majority of those bball teams have a huge history of their own.
And even if many of the Ultras are mainly from soccer - there is still a huge fan base that's unique to bball teams.

Both ManCity and PSG are good teams promoted to elite due to enormous Sheikh money. Both teams were caught with wrongdoings around players contracts, investors money etc. Most of their fanbase is win-culture bandwagoners across Asia and the rest of the world (if you're a ManCity old-timer - no offense, I even respect you - it's just I hate all those "new" fans that came with money). Most their fans can't name 4-5 players from their starting 11 beyond some star striker and famous midfielder/s. To think those team can have any following as basketball teams is beyond ridiculous.

Anyway, of course they will still play in Domestic leagues - they will just leave the Euroleague.
I think like 20 or 25 years ago we already had like 2 separate top Euro leagues for a few years, right? One of them was named ULEB or something, IIRC. I don't remember it as something positive.

Anyway, I believe both "we'll steal teams from Euroleague" and "we'll bring oil money" is simply a power move to make Euroleague cooperate to create and manage a single NBA-style league in Europe.

Re: New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 11:47 am
by knicksfan974
As much as I would like to see this work out and be succesful, it is hard for me to see how this league could be profitable, considering basketball still is pretty much a niche sport in much of Europe. Just look at the empty arenas in Eurobasket, not a great look.

Re: New European League could start in 2027

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2025 1:01 pm
by pepe1991
knicksfan974 wrote:As much as I would like to see this work out and be succesful, it is hard for me to see how this league could be profitable, considering basketball still is pretty much a niche sport in much of Europe. Just look at the empty arenas in Eurobasket, not a great look.


This.

For start, biggest money draw in Europe in football is Premiership. Same England ( entire UK) has no interest in basketball whatsoever.

And that is not only big country that has no interest.
Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Romania, Croatia,Denmark, Norway are just a few off top of my head among ones that don't really care.

Even in countries like Germany, Italy , basketball isn't that popular, but we talk about huge countries with 60-80 million people, yet championships are often played in rather small, 10 000 arenas, if not smaller, and often aren't sold out.

I have no clue where Silver got idea of nba/basketball popularity being so massive that will attract enough money, investors, arenas and billions to make such league functional. NBA is declining product even in US.

That massive Eurobasket finals viewership only happened because Turkey played in finals vs Germany, that's pool of near 200 million people on it's own. And because it's national teams event every few years or so.

Just to compare some numbers, in Germany, 5,7 million people watched finals of Eurobasket. That's around 6,7% of population.
Last year, friendly game vs Bayern Munich vs Rottach via Bayern digial Tv was viewed by 1,8 million people :lol:


Champions league finals often reach 500 million people.

And when you line up salaries of nba teams ,vs some biggest football teams, it's not that big difference.