The NBA and FIBA are working on a joint project to establish a new elite club competition in Europe, with London as the central figure. The league is planned to be launched in 2027 with 16 teams, 12 holding permanent licenses and 4 available for other European clubs. Cities like Rome, Paris, Barcelona, and Madrid may also host permanent franchises, as confirmed by Joe Vardon.
London as the Central Axis of the Project
Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner, and Lenz Balan, President of the London Lions, are collaborating to make London a hub for basketball. Silver emphasized the growing interest in having a franchise in the British capital, viewing its attractive market as a unique opportunity. This ambitious project aims to create a new brand in a city currently lacking top-tier basketball teams.
Economic and Sporting Implications
The NBA's expansion to Europe would be a great economic boost for the United Kingdom, according to Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport. Besides economic growth and job creation, the arrival of these franchises would offer unforgettable moments to local fans. The project envisions including cities like Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, and other European metropolises in the league, promising an exciting future for basketball on the continent.
Collaboration Between Entities
The British government and London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, have joined this initiative to promote basketball in the city. The London Lions, currently competing in the BKT EuroCup, are shaping up to be a key team in this new era of European basketball. Lenz Balan, the club's CEO, has been instrumental in its recovery and now looks towards a promising future in this ambitious NBA project in Europe.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Londres: epicentro del ambicioso proyecto de la NBA en Europa