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The NBA is synonymous with basketball in most parts of the world. It’s the most-watched, richest and best-known league in the game. And now it’s making plans to launch a spin-off competition in Europe.
The European influence on the NBA is growing – there are 71 European-born players in the league this season, and five of its last seven MVP (Most Valuable Player) awards have gone to European players. Berlin and London have also hosted regular season games.
But does that mean there’s demand for a new competition? The Euroleague is the established top tier of basketball in Europe, and features teams affiliated with some of the biggest football clubs in Europe, including Real Madrid and Barcelona. Could the two competitions co-exist, or would there not be room for both? NBA commissioner Adam Silver says initial plans for ‘NBA Europe’, starting in 2027, are for 10 to 12 set franchises that would stay in the league on an annual basis.
Alex Ferrer Kristjansson, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Euroleague Basketball – the top tier club competition on the European continent – tells Lee James why there’s no rivalry between his organisation and the NBA and having strong, professional leagues on both sides of the Atlantic can only be good for the sport.
Joe Vardon, senior basketball writer for the Athletic, explains why commercial reasons may be a significant factor in why the NBA want to create NBA Europe.
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