NBA, Europe ever closer: dialogue opened with FIBA

For years there has been talk of the possibility of an expansion of theNBA in Europe. After all, Adam Silver’s League is the most important basketball championship in the world and has already shown on several occasions that it has no problem in expanding its influence even towards other continents. Now, however, the possibility that the Americans will take concrete action and create their own exclusive league in Europe is becoming increasingly concrete. This was confirmed by Andreas Zagklis, the FIBA Secretary General.

As reported by The Athletic, Zagklis stated that “next month will tell us in which direction we are going on the subject”. The secretary confirmed the serious dialogue opened between FIBA ​​and the NBA, driven by the desire of Adam Silver and his office to create a new league in Europe that can rival the EuroLeague and the national leagues.

There is clear interest from the NBA and there are open conversations with FIBA. We are having discussions and will continue to have them with the company that runs the EuroLeague.

It is well known that the relationship between FIBA ​​and Euroleague is very tense and Zagklis himself does not seem very optimistic about the possibility of a rapprochement between the parties. Perhaps also for this reason, FIBA ​​has opened a dialogue with the NBA: a possibility that could take away the Euroleague’s unchallenged power in Europe.

It’s something that’s been on our radar for a while, we’ve tried to get everyone together but it just hasn’t been possible. So our job is to continue to have a serious dialogue with our partners in the NBA.

From these words, then, Zagklis seems to affirm how initially even Euroleague was involved, but then it was no longer possible to continue the dialogue with them. The FIBA ​​secretary then continued his speech, given during his conference, establishing the future objectives of the organization. Clarifying, at the same time, from what points of view this possible agreement could be good for European basketball.

Basketball in Europe is far below its commercial potential. We want our sport to grow, but at the same time we want to protect the foundations of our system. It is not just about the calendar, but also about respecting the national championships.

One of the objectives remains, therefore, that of protect national leagues.

We have a very developed system of national championships and, of course, we don’t just want to do good for a few clubs but for the 500 or 600 clubs that make up the pyramid that has brought basketball to where it is today.