EuroLeague Seeks to Transform Its Clubs into NBA-Style Franchises
This structural change will boost the league's valuation by 25% and inject over 30 million euros to each shareholder team through the expansion.
The EuroLeague is facing a radical transformation of its governance model. According to Eurohoops sources, the legal procedures are already underway to convert the current license agreements into permanent franchise structures. This change, expected shortly after the start of the 2026-27 season, represents the most significant strategic pivot of the competition in recent years and lays the groundwork for unprecedented economic growth.
The restructuring ensures the indefinite participation of founding members and establishes legal security that enhances the long-term asset value. The permanent franchise model is not a cosmetic measure: it involves a complete redefinition of the rights and obligations of clubs, transforming revocable agreements into immovable structures that strengthen the competitive and commercial position of each institution.
The expansion strategy is the financial engine of this transformation. The EuroLeague has received over 17 bids from cities and investment groups interested in joining the competition. Among the most attractive markets are London, Rome, and Berlin, top-tier economic centers that demonstrate the international appetite for the competition.
The initial phase of expansion, scheduled for the 2027-28 season, will integrate between six and eight new franchises. This will expand the tournament from the current 18 teams to 24 participants, a structure that also guarantees two direct promotion slots from the EuroCup every season. A second phase, still under evaluation, could extend the competition to 30 teams by 2028 or 2029, solidifying the EuroLeague as the largest and most ambitious continental league in Europe.
This first expansion is estimated to generate over 400 million euros in registration fees. Each new franchise will be required to invest between 50 and 90 million euros, depending on the market size and historical league trajectory. The formal evaluation process will begin in the first week of July when the EuroLeague opens its data center to share financial frameworks with applicants.
The fund distribution follows a principle of historical equity. The 400 million euros generated by the expansion will be exclusively divided among the original 13 shareholder teams, meaning over 30 million euros for each founding club. This figure acknowledges the initial investment and risk taken during the decades of building the competition.
The new franchises, despite their significant investment, will not partake in this initial distribution. However, they will receive equal voting rights in the ECA Board of Directors and fair access to the player and sponsor market. This structure balances economic power with competitive equality, ensuring that entry fees do not dictate sporting capabilities.
An in-depth valuation report by JB Capital provides the financial context of this transformation. The analysis places the current combined business value of the EuroLeague and its licensed teams at over 3,200 million euros. For the 2025-26 season, the league is valued at 1,410 million euros, a figure projected to reach 1,640 million by 2026-27.
The total impact of the structural change is even more significant. The entire EuroLeague ecosystem could reach a valuation of 4,300 million euros for the 2026-27 season, representing an increase of over 1,000 million compared to the current valuation. This growth reflects both the capital injection from the new franchises and the revenue increase stemming from market expansion.
The 25% increase in the league and team valuation is not a speculative projection but a direct result of the structural transformation. Permanent franchises reduce regulatory risk, attract institutional investment, and facilitate long-term financing. Shareholders can now plan sporting and commercial investments without the uncertainty of periodic renewals.
International Interest and Next Steps
Prominent applicants include Partizan Mozzart Bet and Estrella Roja Meridianbet, Belgrade rivals aiming to solidify Serbian basketball's presence in the continental elite. Their interest showcases the region's competitiveness and the allure that the EuroLeague holds as a global platform.
The opening of the EuroLeague data center in July will mark a turning point. From that moment, applicants will have access to detailed financial frameworks, enabling a rigorous evaluation of each candidacy. The selection of new franchises will combine sporting, economic, and market viability criteria, ensuring that the expansion strengthens the competition rather than diluting its quality.
This transformation positions the EuroLeague as a truly European-reaching competition, with a modern governance structure and a solid financial base. The founding clubs, established as permanent shareholders, benefit from both immediate growth and the long-term appreciation of their assets. The expansion, far from being a threat, presents a sustainable growth opportunity that will redefine European basketball over the next decade.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Euroliga busca transformar sus clubes en franquicias al estilo NBA
