NBA and FIBA Advance Plans for New Europe League with $500M‑$1B Franchise Bids

The NBA and FIBA have completed the proposal phase for a new European basketball league slated to start in October 2027. Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum said the league received “extremely encouraging” bids for permanent franchises in 12 target cities, with offers ranging from $500 million to $1 billion each. More than 20 existing basketball and football clubs, including several EuroLeague teams, submitted proposals.

The competition will feature 16 teams: 12 permanent franchise owners and four additional spots filled through a qualification process. Cities named in the bids include Rome, Milan, London, Manchester, Paris, Lyon, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Munich, Athens and Istanbul. Former NBA owners are also part of several investment groups. The NBA expects to distribute over $10 billion to clubs in the first ten years, with franchise owners projected to break even by the third season.

Announcements of the permanent franchise owners will be made gradually as agreements are finalized, rather than all at once.