Full Breakdown
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Says EuroLeague Deal Remains on the Table
By Drooid · · How we work
Negotiations Between the NBA and EuroLeague
On October 9, 2026, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told CNBC from Macau that talks with EuroLeague Basketball are “ongoing.” EuroLeague, the continent’s pan-regional league, recently rejected a formal NBA offer to merge into a new competition that the NBA calls NBA Europe. The league’s 13 shareholder clubs include Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Olympiakos and Milan. Silver said the NBA is prepared to build the league alone if necessary but continues to view a partnership as the primary goal.
Financial and Market Scope of NBA Europe
The NBA plans to invest $10 billion over ten years in a 16-team tournament. Target markets cited include London, Paris, Madrid, Munich and Athens, described as “once-and-forever” opportunities to host an NBA franchise.
Projected Launch Timeline
The NBA has been targeting an October 2027 debut for NBA Europe. Reporting by Matt Hughes of *The Guardian* notes that the launch could be pushed back by a year, shifting the start to 2028, a delay linked to the ongoing negotiations and the EuroLeague’s rejection of the NBA’s current conditions.
Official Statements & Responses
He reiterated the NBA’s confidence that an agreement will be reached while also affirming the league’s willingness to proceed independently if needed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We're going to get something worked out,” — Adam Silver, now NBA commissioner
- “I think it's too extreme to say it's a rough patch,” — Adam Silver, now NBA commissioner
- “It's a sort of once and forever opportunity to be the NBA team in London, Paris, Madrid,” — Adam Silver, now NBA commissioner
- “We’re hoping we’ll work something out with the Euroleague,” — Adam Silver, now NBA commissioner