Geneva Summit to Chart Future of European Basketball Amid NBA Expansion Ambitions
GENEVA – Key stakeholders in European basketball convened in Geneva this week for critical discussions regarding the future of the Euroleague and its relationship with the NBA, sources confirm. The meetings come as the NBA actively explores expansion possibilities, including incorporating several Euroleague clubs and potentially attracting investment from major football organizations like PSG and Manchester City.
the discussions were prompted by a growing divide among euroleague ownership, with teams increasingly split between those aware of the NBA’s interest and those vehemently opposing any collaboration. Clubs like Real Madrid, Barça, and Fenerbahçe have notably declined to renew their Euroleague licenses – currently expiring in summer 2026 – signaling a desire to maintain adaptability as options with the NBA materialize.
The Euroleague, recognizing the potential loss of its premier teams – particularly Barcelona and Real Madrid – has reportedly sought to re-engage the NBA in negotiations. However, recent attempts, including a trip to New York by Euroleague CEO paulius Motiejunas to meet with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, have been unsuccessful. The NBA is currently not responding to Euroleague proposals to return to the negotiating table.
The potential for NBA expansion into Europe isn’t new, but has gained momentum in recent months. The league envisions a future potentially including current Euroleague powerhouses like Barça, Real Madrid, Fenerbahçe, Bayern Munich, and Armani Milan, alongside newly formed teams in major European cities such as Paris and Berlin. This ambition has created uncertainty within the Euroleague, with some clubs awaiting developments while others actively seek to protect the competition’s independence.
