NBA

The NBA, the premier professional basketball league in the United States, is actively exploring ways to expand its influence and competitive presence in Europe. With basketball's popularity soaring on the continent—evidenced by the numerous NBA jerseys seen during Adam Silver's recent visit to Paris for the 2024 Olympics—the league is keen to capitalize on this momentum. Discussions with FIBA, the sport’s global governing body, have intensified around the possibility of establishing a new league or annual tournament to enhance European basketball's infrastructure.

Currently, nearly 60 NBA players hail from Europe, representing a significant portion of the league’s international talent pool. Silver emphasizes the league's commitment to nurturing this growth while maintaining the integrity of existing European basketball. The NBA has been involved in European markets since 1984, hosting pre-season and regular-season games to engage local fans. With an estimated 270 million basketball enthusiasts in Europe and a burgeoning media market valued over $20 billion, the NBA sees a substantial opportunity for expansion in the region.