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01/15 15:04 CST Adam Silver: NBA, FIBA pushing forward with plans for new
league in Europe. But things take time
Adam Silver: NBA, FIBA pushing forward with plans for new league in Europe. But
things take time
By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Basketball Writer
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver reaffirmed Thursday that the league, in
partnership with FIBA, is pressing forward on plans to bring a new league to
Europe but stopped short of making any formal announcements regarding timelines
or which teams may be committed to coming aboard.
Silver spoke before the Memphis-Orlando game in Berlin, the first of two NBA
Europe Games on this trip; the Grizzlies and Magic play again in London on
Sunday. And to Silver, even discussing the notion of the long-planned new
league in Germany made a lot of sense --- given that nation currently holding
the World Cup and EuroBasket titles.
"We're the fastest-growing sport right now in this country," Silver said.
"There's, in essence, a golden era, I would say, of the sport. ... The 1936
Olympics here in Berlin, that's when basketball was first introduced into the
Olympic movement. In fact, James Naismith came here to Berlin for those games
and purportedly tossed up the ball for the opening tip of the Games. So, there
is that long history here."
The bigger question is what the future will be for the game in Germany and
across Europe. The impact of international stars --- particularly European
stars --- on the NBA game is clear right now, with Serbia's Nikola Jokic,
Greece's Giannis Antetokounmpo, France's Victor Wembanyama and Slovenia's Luka
Doncic among the biggest basketball stars on the planet, all following in the
footsteps of German great Dirk Nowitzki and more.
Many details for the new league are yet to be formally finalized, including
when it will start play --- the working target has been October 2027 --- and
how many teams will take part in that inaugural season. Among the models that
the NBA and FIBA have explored is a 16-team league, with 12 "permanent" spots
and the other four available through qualifying.
"I would just say we continue to be enormously excited about it," Silver said
about the notion of an NBA Europe. "We've been meeting with clubs that are
interested in participating in our league. We've been in discussions with other
potential stakeholders, including media companies that would like to cover it,
potential media partners and traditional sponsors who want to work with us on
the league. We're looking at the opportunity to grow the arena infrastructure,
not just here in Germany but throughout the continent. It's something that
we're enormously excited about."
Current target countries for the NBA-FIBA endeavor are known to include Britain
(with the potential host cities there being London and Manchester), France
(Paris and Lyon), Spain (Madrid and Barcelona), Italy (Rome and Milan), Germany
(Munich and Berlin), Greece (Athens) and Turkey (Istanbul).
Growth will take time The league and some of its financial partners and advisors have talked with interested stakeholders in Europe --- existing clubs, heads of state and others --- for some time. There will be an entry fee, and it will be steep. And those who expect a fast return on those investments may be disappointed, Silver said. "The funding would potentially come from, at least initially, the member clubs of the league," Silver said. "I think similar to any startup venture, the participants would be the investors, and over time would hope to seek a return. ... I think if we were to successfully launch this new league, it will take a while, I think, before it is a viable commercial enterprise. I think all the participants recognize that this is not for those who have a short-term perspective." Also part of the plan: new arenas would be needed in certain markets, which will obviously take time and more money. "What we are telling interested parties is that you need to have a very long-term perspective," Silver said.
Stance of players Orlando has three German players on its roster who were part of the game in Berlin, including Franz Wagner --- who has spoken with Silver about the idea. So, too, has Doncic, and Silver said he wanted those opinions. "I think it's critically important that we respect the traditions of European basketball. ... We're trying to find the best combination of the old and new, tradition and innovation," Silver said. "I think frankly, that's what the NBA brings to the table. I think it's also why it's important not only to have FIBA as our partner but existing basketball organizations who understand the culture of European basketball, understand the traditions, the history, what makes European basketball unique in so many ways."
NBA expansion It is a juggling act right now for Silver and the NBA, trying to get through the potential launch of a league in Europe with the possibility of expanding its own league past the current 30 teams. Las Vegas and Seattle are the front-runners if NBA growth occurs. "I'm sure you can see the bags under my eyes," Silver said. "But we love hard work at the NBA." Silver has said that a decision on expanding the NBA will come by the end of 2026 and repeated that stance Thursday. "To me, honestly, the real heavy lift would be creating a new league in Europe," Silver said. "As I said, that's an enormous undertaking, which is why we've been moving one step at a time and being very careful and cautious and making sure we're covering all our bases." ___ AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Growth will take time The league and some of its financial partners and advisors have talked with interested stakeholders in Europe --- existing clubs, heads of state and others --- for some time. There will be an entry fee, and it will be steep. And those who expect a fast return on those investments may be disappointed, Silver said. "The funding would potentially come from, at least initially, the member clubs of the league," Silver said. "I think similar to any startup venture, the participants would be the investors, and over time would hope to seek a return. ... I think if we were to successfully launch this new league, it will take a while, I think, before it is a viable commercial enterprise. I think all the participants recognize that this is not for those who have a short-term perspective." Also part of the plan: new arenas would be needed in certain markets, which will obviously take time and more money. "What we are telling interested parties is that you need to have a very long-term perspective," Silver said.
Stance of players Orlando has three German players on its roster who were part of the game in Berlin, including Franz Wagner --- who has spoken with Silver about the idea. So, too, has Doncic, and Silver said he wanted those opinions. "I think it's critically important that we respect the traditions of European basketball. ... We're trying to find the best combination of the old and new, tradition and innovation," Silver said. "I think frankly, that's what the NBA brings to the table. I think it's also why it's important not only to have FIBA as our partner but existing basketball organizations who understand the culture of European basketball, understand the traditions, the history, what makes European basketball unique in so many ways."
NBA expansion It is a juggling act right now for Silver and the NBA, trying to get through the potential launch of a league in Europe with the possibility of expanding its own league past the current 30 teams. Las Vegas and Seattle are the front-runners if NBA growth occurs. "I'm sure you can see the bags under my eyes," Silver said. "But we love hard work at the NBA." Silver has said that a decision on expanding the NBA will come by the end of 2026 and repeated that stance Thursday. "To me, honestly, the real heavy lift would be creating a new league in Europe," Silver said. "As I said, that's an enormous undertaking, which is why we've been moving one step at a time and being very careful and cautious and making sure we're covering all our bases." ___ AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
