Euroleague owners seek way forward as NBA prepares to enter Europe

Fenerbahce's Will Clyburn (right) tries to drive past Olympiacos' Tyson Ward during the Euroleague Basketball SuperCup 2026 semifinals in Abu Dhabi on Sept. 18. | REUTERS

Reuters

Oct 8, 2026

Berlin – Europe’s biggest basketball clubs must find a way to work with the NBA, Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos said on Wednesday, a day after the clubs rejected a proposal from the U.S. league to join up for a new continental competition.

On Tuesday, the continent’s top clubs turned down an offer from the NBA, raising the prospect of a battle for Europe’s teams, players and commercial riches.

Sources familiar with the discussions said that the Euroleague’s shareholder clubs rejected a collaboration offer from the NBA in their meeting in Italy, though the door on a deal was not yet closed.

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