By Stavros Barbarousis/ info@eurohoops.net
The rumors and the reports about the NBA finally landing in Europe with a project that may rival the EuroLeague continue.
According to Spanish news outlet Relevo, the NBA “has already contacted teams such as Panathinaikos and is awaiting movements from other teams, such as Real Madrid and Fenerbahce, to find out their position regarding this new project.”
According to the same report, the NBA intends to launch a league in Europe as soon as the 2026-27 season, and those clubs are presented as ” targets.”
However, Panathinaikos contacted Eurohoops and denied that there’s any kind of communication with the NBA or FIBA on this issue.
It has to be noted that even FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis admitted that the NBA’s interest in getting more involved in Europe is true and more details will be known “in the next month”.
That’s a nod to the NBA Paris game when the whole project is expected to be discussed on European soil.
On the other hand, the whole talk about EuroLeague teams joining the NBA started when Panathinaikos coach Ergin Ataman joked that his team, the reigning champion, is world-class on every level, the NBA may come knocking and “EuroLeague should be careful”.
It has to be noted that all three clubs mentioned are also EuroLeague shareholders and that may make things even more complicated.