The owners of Manchester City are reportedly the target to set up a new basketball team that would be part of an NBA Europe tournament that could already start in 2026
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will present a proposal to teamowners on creating a new European competition on Thursday that is expected to have at least one British franchise, whereby the owners of Manchester City show interest to become involved.
But the realization of the NBA Europe project is likely to rest on the participation of Real Madrid and Barcelona – both of which already have successful basketball teams – with both roads whether they should sign new contract agreements for the existing EuroLeague competition.
An NBA display would rise against Euroleague, which has an annual tournament that is comparable to the Champions League of Football. NBA insiders have suggested that the competition could be underway for the 2026-27 season.
An NBA spokesperson confirmed that Silver would pitch his idea to the existing 30 American owners and said: “During the NBA Board of Governors meeting this week, the League will report on its exploration of a new men's basketball competition in Europe, in collaboration with FIBA (the European administrative organ).”
Paris Saint-Germain, who previously had a basketball team and whose kits are made by the Jordan brand, has already confirmed that they have been approached about entering a team. A spokesperson for owners Qatar Sports Investments said: “QSI was approached with regard to a basketball franchise in Paris in connection with which we have shown interest.”
Silver also wants to have a British franchise and although London is a preferred city, the owners of Manchester City want to establish the Abu Dhabi owners a team that has been contacted by NBA representatives. The recently opened co-op live arena, owned by Abu Dhabi and with a capacity of 23,500, would be a ready-made arena.
At the moment, the NBA rules stipulate that the sovereign power funds of the State can only have a maximum interest of a maximum of 20% in its teams and it is unclear whether such a rule would be waived from European competition.
Arsenal owners Kroenke Sports Entertainment all have the NBA champions Denver Nuggets from 2023, while Crystal Palace has partial owner Josh Harris a managing interest in the Philadelphia 76ers.
Between 2011 and 2019, London organized competitive NBA games in the 02 Arena before switching to Paris.
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