Luka Doncic Leads Bid to Bring NBA to Rome

In May 2026, NBA star Luka Doncic and former Dallas Mavericks executive Donnie Nelson formed an investment group that purchased Vanoli Cremona, a professional basketball club from northern Italy. Doncic, a 27-year-old Slovenian who rose to prominence with Real Madrid before joining the NBA, said the venture reflects his gratitude to Europe for shaping his career. Nelson, who helped bring Doncic to the NBA, is a co-decision maker in the group. The group announced plans to move the team from Cremona—a town known for its violin-making tradition—to Rome and has submitted a bid to become the NBA’s Roman franchise in the league’s proposed European competition.

New York Times

The NBA is pursuing a multi-city European league, targeting London, Paris, Rome and Milan for inaugural franchises. The league’s public roadmap projects an inaugural season in October 2027, describing the effort as part of a broader strategy to expand the NBA’s presence beyond the United States.

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• May 29 2026 – New York Times reports the acquisition of Vanoli Cremona and the intent to relocate the team to Rome.

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• 2026 – The investment group submitted its bid for the Rome franchise.

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• October 2027 (projected) – Planned start of the NBA Europe league’s first season.

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Securing a Rome franchise would give the NBA a foothold in Italy’s capital and complement the league’s planned presence in other major European cities. Doncic’s involvement is prominently attached to the effort, a factor highlighted by the source as distinguishing this initiative from other NBA expansion attempts. The relocation also illustrates a shift toward private investment groups driving the NBA’s overseas expansion. Doncic is both an active NBA player and a lead decision maker in the ownership group seeking a European franchise.

New York Times

Doncic told reporters, “Since I came to the N.B.A., my dream was always to own a team in Europe, especially because Europe gave me so much.” NBA communications reiterate the goal of establishing teams in London, Paris, Rome and Milan, with an October launch for the first European season. The league has not yet confirmed acceptance of the Rome bid.

New York Times

Financial terms of the Vanoli Cremona purchase have not been disclosed, nor has the precise schedule for the team’s move. The NBA’s criteria for selecting the Rome franchise have not been made public. The NBA has not announced whether the bid will be approved, leaving the final status of the Rome entry uncertain.

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> “Since I came to the N.B.A., my dream was always to own a team in Europe, especially because Europe gave me so much.” — Luka Doncic, NBA star

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