The possibility of establishing an NBA-affiliated league in Europe could come within a few days after FIBA secretary-general Andreas Zagklis said the federation would continue to have “serious conversations” with the NBA about establishing a new league. A decision will be made within the week.
The league will initially compete with European leagues and top professional leagues in various countries.
“(The NBA) has clear interest and is in discussions with the International Basketball Federation,” Zagklis said via The Athletic. “We have been and will continue to have discussions with…the companies that operate European leagues.
“That’s something we’ve been focused on. We’re trying to bring everyone together. That’s not possible. So our job is to continue to have serious conversations with our partners in the NBA.
The Secretary-General went on to explain that “the development of European basketball is well below its commercial potential”. Of course, the NBA can certainly help with that.
“The International Basketball Federation has taken a very consistent approach,” Zagklis said of the possibility of the NBA launching its own European league.
“We want our sport to grow, but at the same time we also want to protect the fundamental elements of our ecosystem, which is not only about the rules, the schedule, but it’s also a matter of respecting the national teams, the national leagues,” Zagklis said. “We have a very developed National League ecosystem and certainly (want to) protect the jobs of not just a handful of clubs but the nearly 500 or 600 clubs that are the pyramids that develop players and bring basketball to the rest of the world. .
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver talked about how the league is considering its options in Europe and how the league is looking at how European leagues can provide academy-style training programs for young talent that are far better than their American G-League/college equivalents.
READ MORE: Veteran NBA reporter calls for Anthony Davis, LeBron to leave Lakers
