Nikesh Arora leads $1 billion bid for NBA’s proposed London franchise

The NBA is planning to launch a Europe‑wide competition, NBA Europe, in the second half of 2027 and has identified London as one of the inaugural franchise locations. American technology billionaire Nikesh Arora, chief executive of Palo Alto Networks, is heading a consortium of investors that is prepared to offer more than US$1 billion for the London team, making it one of the most valuable spots in the proposed league.

Arora previously helped acquire a stake in the London Spirit cricket franchise, demonstrating his experience with major British sports assets. The bid comes amid strong market interest, with over 120 prospective investors submitting expressions of interest and several proposals exceeding the $1 billion mark. Other parties mentioned include Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Qatar Sports Investments, and RedBird Capital, which own clubs in other European cities. NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said the level of engagement reflects belief in the untapped potential of European basketball.