NBA, FIBA say Europe push to continue without EuroLeague

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  Brian WindhorstOct 8, 2026, 06:22 AM ET

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  • ESPN.com NBA writer since 2010
  • Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years
  • Author of two books

MACAO -- In the wake of EuroLeague team owners rejecting a merger offer this week, the NBA has answered back: NBA Europe is moving forward anyway.

On Thursday, the NBA and FIBA, the sport's international governing body and partner with the league on the developing venture, released a joint statement making it clear they are undeterred.

"A partnership between the EuroLeague, FIBA and the NBA to unify the European basketball ecosystem would unlock the game's enormous potential across Europe for the benefit of clubs, players and, most importantly, fans," they said. "The NBA and FIBA remain committed to moving forward with a new professional men's league in Europe and helping build a stronger, more sustainable basketball ecosystem alongside partners who share our vision of growth, opportunity and the core principles of the European sports model."

Though this back-and-forth is revealing a rising tension between the two leagues after months of discussions, there is still an open door to negotiate, sources told ESPN.

Last month, after nearly two years of development, the NBA presented a formal merger offer to the EuroLeague. The EuroLeague leadership met this week on the banks of Lake Como in Italy and voted to turn down the NBA's offer, believing it undervalued the value of the league, sources said.

They also reportedly discussed expanding the European league beyond its current 13 license holders, a saber-rattling move designed to potentially block the NBA from certain cities and partners. However, multiple members of the EuroLeague have had extensive talks with the NBA and are believed to be seriously interested in joining a new NBA Europe.

EuroLeague member Barcelona said this week that team and the league would be open to considering an amended offer from the NBA and FIBA.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver and deputy commissioner Mark Tatum, who has been running point on the European project, are in Macao this week for the league's China Games featuring the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks. They are in the midst of meetings and events with Asian partners, but their focus has been on this developing situation in Europe.

The NBA has collected expansion offers on new franchises throughout Western Europe, has interest from existing teams and plans a 16-team league to start as early as 2027.

The EuroLeague was formed in 2001 after two rival leagues, one of them operated by FIBA, battled each other for a season. The league expanded to 20 teams in 2025-26, with seven clubs qualifying through their domestic leagues or via invitation.