Adam Silver discusses NBA’s expansion into Europe with Real Madrid
The NBA’s ambitious overseas project took a bold step forward this week as commissioner Adam Silver and his top executives met with leaders from the legendary sports conglomerate, Real Madrid, in Paris. The high-profile sit-down signals the league’s deepening commitment to expanding its footprint in Europe and potentially reshaping the basketball landscape across the continent.
A Strategic Move in Paris
Silver’s trip to Paris wasn’t an isolated mission — it was part of a wider European tour that included stops in London and meetings with potential partners from global finance and sports. However, the session with Real Madrid stood out because of the club’s stature. Real Madrid, with deep pockets and a storied legacy in both basketball and soccer, holds an “A” license in the EuroLeague — Europe’s premier basketball competition, though their automatic spot is set to expire in 2026.
According to sources close to the league, if Real Madrid signs on with Silver’s planned NBA Europe League, other top clubs may soon follow. This could seriously challenge the current dominance of the EuroLeague, potentially shifting European basketball’s elite tier toward the NBA’s new model.
Behind the Scenes: Key Meetings and Negotiations
The NBA brass didn’t just talk to Real Madrid. Earlier in the week, Silver’s delegation met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to set the stage for NBA Global Games in January and explore the idea of establishing a team in London — a city with a metropolitan population nearing 15 million. Further meetings included tech-backed London Lions, Turkish giant Galatasaray, and four heavyweight private equity firms: CVC, RedBird, Bridgepoint, and KKR.
Conversations aren’t limited to Western Europe, either. The NBA has also reached out to Qatar Sports Investments, the group behind Paris Saint-Germain, to discuss launching a new basketball powerhouse in Paris. According to multiple European and American sources, Alba Berlin — a regular EuroLeague participant — is being considered as well, after their decision this year to leave the EuroLeague in favor of FIBA’s Champions League.
Expert Perspectives and Reactions
Reactions to Silver’s expansion push are mixed. EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejūnas recently told The Athletic, “There’s a lot of confusion. NBA is still exploring. They’re talking about another two, three years… We are growing. Why would you leave the league which is growing?” Motiejūnas believes EuroLeague stakeholders will remain loyal, but the allure of NBA investment is tough to ignore.
On the NBA side, deputy commissioner Mark Tatum previously stated that teams like Alba Berlin “bought into this vision of a revamped top-tier league in Europe that is going to service the millions of basketball fans in Europe that currently aren’t serviced today.”
What’s at Stake?
For the NBA, the creation of a 16-team league featuring both established clubs and new franchises in booming markets like Paris and London could be a game-changer. The funding model, expected to include equity stakes for team investors, could draw money from sovereign wealth funds and global conglomerates tied to European soccer.
If Real Madrid — the jewel of European sports — defects to the NBA’s new project, it could inspire other legacy franchises, like Barcelona and Fenerbahçe, to follow, accelerating a seismic shift in basketball’s balance of power.
Looking Ahead: A Continental Shake-Up?
While Real Madrid and NBA spokespeople have declined to comment officially, the significance of these discussions can’t be ignored. In the next few years, fans could be seeing a completely new European league with NBA branding and a global business model. For now, all eyes remain on Silver, whose vision might soon connect two continents under the banner of the world’s most popular basketball league.
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Source: www.nytimes.com