Euroleague Clubs Reject NBA Merger Bid for European League

Euroleague clubs have rejected a formal offer from the NBA to combine operations into one European league. The clubs met in Italy to discuss the proposal, which came after more than two years of NBA work on the concept. Euroleague members instead are weighing their own expansion plans to counter the NBA's entry into the market.

NBA to Proceed With Separate League

The NBA will continue developing a 16-team league that could begin play as early as the 2027-28 season. The league has drawn strong bids for franchises in European cities and aims to compete directly with the Euroleague for fans, media rights and sponsorships. A significant number of the 13 permanent Euroleague teams have shown interest in joining the new venture, creating ongoing negotiations even as the current coalition holds together.

Model and Historical Context

The NBA envisions a schedule that lets teams play in national leagues on weekends and in the European competition during the week, along with expanded rosters to support multiple competitions and a focus on developing European players. This latest divide echoes the 2000-01 split when a new league broke away from an established structure, leading to a difficult season before the sides combined the following year. NBA owners view the effort as a 20-year project and remain committed despite the rejected merger offer.