EuroLeague Clubs Reject Formal NBA Merger Proposal

Members of the EuroLeague rejected a formal NBA offer this week to merge into a single NBA Europe operation following a meeting on Lake Como.

Members of the EuroLeague rejected a formal offer from the NBA this week to merge into a single NBA Europe operation, sources confirmed to ESPN. The decision followed a meeting held by the clubs on Lake Como in Italy. This proposal was submitted after more than two years of development by the NBA, which is now moving forward with plans to launch a 16-team league as early as the 2027-28 season.

Despite the rejection, several high-ranking European basketball officials indicate that a significant number of the 13 permanent EuroLeague teams remain interested in joining the new venture. The NBA's proposed model features expanded rosters to support player development and allows teams to compete in national leagues on weekends while playing in NBA Europe during the week. NBA owners, who were briefed on the project during a board of governors meeting in New York last month, view the expansion as a 20-year long-term value play.

The NBA has already received bids for expansion franchises in various European cities, intending to compete directly with the EuroLeague for media rights, sponsorships, and fans. While the EuroLeague is currently considering its own expansion plan, negotiations between the two entities are expected to continue. This friction mirrors a previous split in the 2000-01 season between ULEB and FIBA, which eventually led to the formation of the modern EuroLeague.