NBA's Bold Move: How Soccer Fans Could Change the Game Forever – Are You Ready to Be Shocked?

By Christian Radnedge

LONDON, Jan 17 (Reuters) – NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has expressed an ambitious vision for a new European basketball competition, drawing inspiration from the fervor and tribalism that defines European soccer fandom. This initiative, expected to launch within the next two years in collaboration with the world basketball body FIBA, seeks to cultivate a passionate basketball community akin to that of soccer clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid, which have long included basketball teams in the EuroLeague.

Although no teams have been finalized yet, Silver confirmed ongoing discussions with potential investors and prominent European soccer clubs, including Paris St Germain. He praised the intense rivalries and deep familial bonds that characterize the fan culture across Europe, highlighting the unique atmosphere that comes from generations of sporting tradition.

“We want to design this European league for success… it means that the partners who invest in this league will understand that any revenues that exceed expenses… will need to be reinvested in the enterprise and to grow the sport,” Silver stated during a roundtable with reporters in London.

Silver elaborated on the goal of creating a league with the same relevance and emotional investment that top European soccer clubs enjoy, something he feels lacks in the American sports landscape. “To even dream of creating this sort of relevance… that’s something that we don’t necessarily experience in the U.S.,” he noted. “It is something that I wish every American sports fan could experience.”

The financial stakes in this endeavor are significant. According to the Sports Business Journal, the NBA is projecting franchise fees ranging from $500 million to $1 billion and has enlisted JPMorgan and The Raine Group to refine their business strategy. Silver has emphasized a willingness to consider diverse investment sources, including sovereign wealth funds and private equity—an option more restricted in the U.S. league.

“We’re talking to families that currently invest in sports, some who have not had the tradition of investing,” Silver explained, mentioning that conversations are ongoing with both traditional investment funds and private equity firms that view sports as a viable asset class.

Establishing a franchise in London could represent a major milestone for the NBA, as the city has become its biggest success story outside the U.S. The matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic at London’s O2 Arena marks the 19th NBA game in Britain since 1993, with this being the league’s 10th regular-season game in the capital.

However, the current state of professional basketball in Britain presents challenges. While approximately 15% of NBA players originate from Europe—featuring stars like Luka Doncic from Slovenia, Giannis Antetokounmpo from Greece, and Nikola Jokic from Serbia—less than a dozen players have made it to the NBA from the UK historically. This is surprising given that basketball is often regarded as the second-most popular team sport in the UK, trailing only soccer.

“We haven’t had the same sort of success in producing players in the UK as we have had in these other European countries,” Silver remarked. “It’s not for lack of youth participation; it’s a very popular sport here from a development standpoint. At the same time, we haven’t had the luxury of a top-tier UK club in a long time. And to me, I just see it as opportunity.”

This initiative to create a new league in Europe could potentially reshape the basketball landscape across the continent and open pathways for aspiring British players. The NBA's strategic approach aims not only to grow the sport but to instill a vibrant culture of basketball that mirrors the rich, passionate traditions found in European soccer.