Mark Tatum said "The reason we are doing this is not primarily commercial."
About providing resources and growing the game.
Yeah, right.
It was all about the commercial opportunity when Adam Silver introduced it and teased it to NBA owners, European teams and investors.
JP Morgan is who you turn to to grow the game?
Said "the first phase" of permanent members will be in UK, France, Spain, Germany and Italy.
"Maybe Turkey, maybe Greece." Maybe.
"In phase one, our initial plan is to go 10 to 12 cities." 10 is a new mention and possible reduction, obviously jeopardizing Turkey and Greece.
Serbia, Israel and elsewhere, audition for temporary thru BCL? Not everyone will go along with that.
EuroLeague / EuroCup vs. NBA Europe / BCL? Will EuroLeague cave? NBA compromise? Probably not immediately. Expecting competition at this point.
Suggested he expected more clarity in 2 months. Believe it if it really happens.
European and global league possibilities
Re: European and global league possibilities
Competition for new young Europeans between all the leagues and potential leagues and including NCAA will be intense. Who offers the most money, the most desirable context, the most minutes?
Will competition for young Americans also heat up?
The competition will continue and probably increase for American and European agents.
Which path will look best for getting to NBA? Which path will prove best? Will it split by position? How important will multi-year contracts be?
NBA has said they don't see NBA Europe as a developmental league. So will NCAA continue to win on getting the best young players? Is that who fans and networks want most?
Will competition for young Americans also heat up?
The competition will continue and probably increase for American and European agents.
Which path will look best for getting to NBA? Which path will prove best? Will it split by position? How important will multi-year contracts be?
NBA has said they don't see NBA Europe as a developmental league. So will NCAA continue to win on getting the best young players? Is that who fans and networks want most?
Re: European and global league possibilities
Don't know what prompted it or its relevance, but several media writing about NBA Europe just threw out the figure of $250 million franchise fee alongside $500 mil or more. First time I saw / heard that. Was the higher figure untenable or still the ask? Is $250 mil a floated counter? Or just outsider guessing? Unclear.
Re: European and global league possibilities
Other new talk includes the idea of NBA Europe potentially doubling in size in a phase 2. Just vague talk but it is what we have.
Re: European and global league possibilities
European football is in process of selling next round of media rights to Champions League and other products. They are offering more product to more partners and asking higher prices.
NBA Europe will try to sell after this wave. The level of interest and prices will probably be affected. Some media companies might have spent their money and prime air time and have less left for a new basketball product. Some unsuccessful at getting what they want in football might be more motivated for basketball.
It will take awhile to sort out. Basketball is definitely 2nd in popularity, bidding and bid timing. It is a competition.
Strategy will be important in how to offer global rights and farm local markets, elite games and volume of product. In football and basketball. It won't be simple for NBA Europe. They better tap into talent / experience in Europe as support or leadership.
Will NBA Europe sell its media rights directly or with a partner that specializes in that? Big decision. Relevant agency represents UEFA and other levels now and is owned by Miami Dolphins owner. They could be partner or main competition. Other potential partners exist including Team Marketing, the former main football rights broker.
Middle East money is pouring into sport teams and media. Not aware of presence in sports media right marketing firms but that could happen. Lots of levels, lots of actors.
Tension between the biggest teams and smaller ones is pervasive. The accommodations vary.
NBA Europe will try to sell after this wave. The level of interest and prices will probably be affected. Some media companies might have spent their money and prime air time and have less left for a new basketball product. Some unsuccessful at getting what they want in football might be more motivated for basketball.
It will take awhile to sort out. Basketball is definitely 2nd in popularity, bidding and bid timing. It is a competition.
Strategy will be important in how to offer global rights and farm local markets, elite games and volume of product. In football and basketball. It won't be simple for NBA Europe. They better tap into talent / experience in Europe as support or leadership.
Will NBA Europe sell its media rights directly or with a partner that specializes in that? Big decision. Relevant agency represents UEFA and other levels now and is owned by Miami Dolphins owner. They could be partner or main competition. Other potential partners exist including Team Marketing, the former main football rights broker.
Middle East money is pouring into sport teams and media. Not aware of presence in sports media right marketing firms but that could happen. Lots of levels, lots of actors.
Tension between the biggest teams and smaller ones is pervasive. The accommodations vary.
Re: European and global league possibilities
Improving the commercial returns of basketball in Europe.
What are the ways?
Bigger, fancier arenas that can handle / get more attendees, charge them more, and sell more and more expensive food & beverage and merchandise.
Can they get access to the best current arenas in key cities without the current resident teams?
Get more and bigger sponsorships. From Europe, U.S. or elsewhere?
Get more viewers and more advertisers and charge them more and charge media carriers more.
How much will different ownership and management yield on operating revenue and profit?
How much will "better" / more expensive players yield? What is the track record for additional revenue / profit from better import players? Do european fans really want more & better import players?
How much revenue would an NBA Europe generate from U.S. and other countries / regions compared to what Euroleague does?
What lessons does NBA Europe actually take from NFL Europe attempt and failure?
Are the Euroleague efforts really that bad compared to the imagined / asserted potential or is the market really that limited / tough?
To make way more eventually, teams will need to spend and lose more initially. Are any current team owners prepared to do that? How many new owners are? Will the revenue / expenditure equation and market valuations look good in 5-10+ years? Does the proposition of NBA Europe look better or worse than alternatives available to European football owners and / or Middle Eastern sovereign funds, including the EuroLeague? Are Middle Eastern money going to shift from the Eurleague that has been more open to them particioating and having prominence than the NBA to date?
EuroLeague says "... we’ve got 50 per cent less partners and over 50 per cent more revenue – and we’ve done that in only 18 months.” Are they getting the job that the NBA promises done themselves? Did the NBA wait too long?
To launch in fall 2027 would require how much to be actually committed and done by next fall? How much would need to be settled by next spring? Another year of work is more likely than that timetable. Will anything actually be settled and committed to by next spring, considering no commitments and no visible progress in last 6+ months?
What are the ways?
Bigger, fancier arenas that can handle / get more attendees, charge them more, and sell more and more expensive food & beverage and merchandise.
Can they get access to the best current arenas in key cities without the current resident teams?
Get more and bigger sponsorships. From Europe, U.S. or elsewhere?
Get more viewers and more advertisers and charge them more and charge media carriers more.
How much will different ownership and management yield on operating revenue and profit?
How much will "better" / more expensive players yield? What is the track record for additional revenue / profit from better import players? Do european fans really want more & better import players?
How much revenue would an NBA Europe generate from U.S. and other countries / regions compared to what Euroleague does?
What lessons does NBA Europe actually take from NFL Europe attempt and failure?
Are the Euroleague efforts really that bad compared to the imagined / asserted potential or is the market really that limited / tough?
To make way more eventually, teams will need to spend and lose more initially. Are any current team owners prepared to do that? How many new owners are? Will the revenue / expenditure equation and market valuations look good in 5-10+ years? Does the proposition of NBA Europe look better or worse than alternatives available to European football owners and / or Middle Eastern sovereign funds, including the EuroLeague? Are Middle Eastern money going to shift from the Eurleague that has been more open to them particioating and having prominence than the NBA to date?
EuroLeague says "... we’ve got 50 per cent less partners and over 50 per cent more revenue – and we’ve done that in only 18 months.” Are they getting the job that the NBA promises done themselves? Did the NBA wait too long?
To launch in fall 2027 would require how much to be actually committed and done by next fall? How much would need to be settled by next spring? Another year of work is more likely than that timetable. Will anything actually be settled and committed to by next spring, considering no commitments and no visible progress in last 6+ months?
Re: European and global league possibilities
Could an NBA team be a majority or minority owner of an NBA Europe team?
I'd guess no (on basis on competitive advantage) but it is a question until officially answered.
I'd guess no (on basis on competitive advantage) but it is a question until officially answered.
Re: European and global league possibilities
UK government involved in regulating basketball. Other governments probably are too or could be. Another set of actors who could impact outcome of league competition outright or in details. Perhaps even the EU as a body gets involved? Likely Eurleague or specific owners would consider seeking / using their involvement if dissatisfied with developments.
Could actors controlling arenas or supervising to any degree get involved?
I mention Middle East money occasionally. Not necesarily a unified block.
Other potential new owners exist beyond Middle East money and football clubs. But no such names, to my knowledge, have been mentioned or self-announced. Wouldn't surprise if they eventually emerge but will they and when? Any ex-NBA owners or part owners or unsuccessful previous bidders?
"Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has invited the National Basketball Association to invest in the EuroLeague..."
That is a major new talking point / model shift. NBA wants control and franchise fees but this model could still work if the preferred model does not happen or set up as hoped. Buy and / or take a 20-50% stake and help it grow into being worth more.
Will NBA try to leverage (directly or indirectly) NBA media partners to support the NBA Europe project? Will it work? Will NBA Europe impact their revenues? Would involvement in NBA Europe be a smart hedge against revenue loss or revenue growth loss or future media competition?
Could actors controlling arenas or supervising to any degree get involved?
I mention Middle East money occasionally. Not necesarily a unified block.
Other potential new owners exist beyond Middle East money and football clubs. But no such names, to my knowledge, have been mentioned or self-announced. Wouldn't surprise if they eventually emerge but will they and when? Any ex-NBA owners or part owners or unsuccessful previous bidders?
"Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has invited the National Basketball Association to invest in the EuroLeague..."
That is a major new talking point / model shift. NBA wants control and franchise fees but this model could still work if the preferred model does not happen or set up as hoped. Buy and / or take a 20-50% stake and help it grow into being worth more.
Will NBA try to leverage (directly or indirectly) NBA media partners to support the NBA Europe project? Will it work? Will NBA Europe impact their revenues? Would involvement in NBA Europe be a smart hedge against revenue loss or revenue growth loss or future media competition?
Re: European and global league possibilities
"NBA Europe managing director George Aivazoglou confirmed that the project will launch in October 2027, adding that teams from Rome, Milan (Italy), London, Manchester (United Kingdom), Paris, Lyon (France), Madrid, Barcelona (Spain), Berlin, Munich (Germany), one team from Athens (Greece) and Istanbul (Turkiye) will be playing in the competition."
With 4 wildcards.
But...
"the first season of the new league might be described as “a semi-opening”, indicating that not all of the slots in the planned 16-team league could be allocated at that time."
"No deals with any city or club have been formally announced by the NBA at this point."
"Silver’s league, which Aivazoglou said is headed toward a tip off in about 23 months, though October 2027 is not yet finalized."
So "big" announcement... but everything still tentative.
Existing teams could buy in immediately or face competition from another team given to other investors or hypothetically run by NBA or a front until a later buy in from somebody.
The "news" is they are not going to wait.. unless they decide to wait.
With 4 wildcards.
But...
"the first season of the new league might be described as “a semi-opening”, indicating that not all of the slots in the planned 16-team league could be allocated at that time."
"No deals with any city or club have been formally announced by the NBA at this point."
"Silver’s league, which Aivazoglou said is headed toward a tip off in about 23 months, though October 2027 is not yet finalized."
So "big" announcement... but everything still tentative.
Existing teams could buy in immediately or face competition from another team given to other investors or hypothetically run by NBA or a front until a later buy in from somebody.
The "news" is they are not going to wait.. unless they decide to wait.
Re: European and global league possibilities
"NBA will meet with potential partners and investors next week in London..."
Euroleague team licenses expire in June. I heard there was a December deadline to commit but time will tell.
8 Euroleague teams had an average attendance over 10k but only 4 in 3 cities the NBA has highlighted for permanent status. Real Madrid and Barcelona are not in this group with RM only averaging 8k and Barca only 5k. Paris and Milan under 7k.
It is unclear how tightly IMG can enforce their new 10 year deal and how much that would complicate things if most or all of the Euroleague wanted to join NBA Europe and were invited.
Euroleague team licenses expire in June. I heard there was a December deadline to commit but time will tell.
8 Euroleague teams had an average attendance over 10k but only 4 in 3 cities the NBA has highlighted for permanent status. Real Madrid and Barcelona are not in this group with RM only averaging 8k and Barca only 5k. Paris and Milan under 7k.
It is unclear how tightly IMG can enforce their new 10 year deal and how much that would complicate things if most or all of the Euroleague wanted to join NBA Europe and were invited.
Re: European and global league possibilities
The international touring group, calling themselves Project B, say fall 2026 launch. Signed the WNBA player's union President and are saying they are offering contracts up to or over $2 million. Several former players in ownership and management.
Supposedly the men's tour is also happening but no news there and no ex-players in ownership or management to my knowledge.
Competition between WNBA, UnRivaled and Project B looks like it will be intense.
Remains to be seen if becomes a factor on the men's side.
Supposedly the men's tour is also happening but no news there and no ex-players in ownership or management to my knowledge.
Competition between WNBA, UnRivaled and Project B looks like it will be intense.
Remains to be seen if becomes a factor on the men's side.
Re: European and global league possibilities
If they get 8+ franchises in desired permanent spots immediately, I would consider that a success. Get 10-12, touche. 6 would be marginal but they likely would proceed. Less than 6 would be sketchy but they might improve on it with time..
It appears likely to be UK, France for franchise sales. Really want Spain. Don't know if it can work without them. If no Spain, they better get Germany and Italy.
I still have doubts about existing teams paying big or huge franchise fees. Unless they sell 30-100% to new investors and / or get an installment payment plan.
Will teams who abandon Euroleage be able to maintain domestic league participation or will some environments push them out?
Are the complaints from Euroleague voices having any impact? I don't know. The biggest talking point they could hurl would probably be where is the great new media partner money? And maybe how much higher are sought ticket prices?
Presumably most of the game revenue increase would come from some fraction of the seats. The 500 -3,000 best? Seat licenses? More and / or more upscale suites? Broad or all-inclusive VIP packages for out of town visitors? Travel, accommodations, food, service, special game treatment...
It appears likely to be UK, France for franchise sales. Really want Spain. Don't know if it can work without them. If no Spain, they better get Germany and Italy.
I still have doubts about existing teams paying big or huge franchise fees. Unless they sell 30-100% to new investors and / or get an installment payment plan.
Will teams who abandon Euroleage be able to maintain domestic league participation or will some environments push them out?
Are the complaints from Euroleague voices having any impact? I don't know. The biggest talking point they could hurl would probably be where is the great new media partner money? And maybe how much higher are sought ticket prices?
Presumably most of the game revenue increase would come from some fraction of the seats. The 500 -3,000 best? Seat licenses? More and / or more upscale suites? Broad or all-inclusive VIP packages for out of town visitors? Travel, accommodations, food, service, special game treatment...
Re: European and global league possibilities
What exactly is the EuroLeague proposal and should they reveal it publicly? How accommodating or self-defined? What if anything are they offering on franchise fees? Simply dead set on every Euroleague license holder getting a guaranteeed spot or everyone willing to pay?
Insist of largely continued EuroLeague control of basketball operations and team board control of administration?
Merge EuroCup and BCL, if EuroLeague and NBA Europe do a deal?
Or if substantial portion of EuroLeague does not join NBA Europe, would some share of EuroCup be invited to join Euroleague?
Might eastern and southern Europe be forced to go own way or select to do so?
Could ACB and / or France ProA make strategic moves independent of top clubs?
How united is FIBA in general and with regard to NBA Europe
Insist of largely continued EuroLeague control of basketball operations and team board control of administration?
Merge EuroCup and BCL, if EuroLeague and NBA Europe do a deal?
Or if substantial portion of EuroLeague does not join NBA Europe, would some share of EuroCup be invited to join Euroleague?
Might eastern and southern Europe be forced to go own way or select to do so?
Could ACB and / or France ProA make strategic moves independent of top clubs?
How united is FIBA in general and with regard to NBA Europe
Re: European and global league possibilities
"British Basketball Federation to enter liquidation after financial collapse"
UK basketball scene in multi-faceted chaos, dispute and dysfunction.
NBA keen to enter that market...
UK basketball scene in multi-faceted chaos, dispute and dysfunction.
NBA keen to enter that market...
Re: European and global league possibilities
Basketball in Machester is currently played in a 2,000 seat arena by a club that replaced a version that failed and was sold to new owners in 2024.
An Italian says Manchester United is already committed. Not the team or the NBA though.
"Despite reporting record revenue last year, the club continues to lose money."
Great time to sign a check for $500+ million?
An Italian says Manchester United is already committed. Not the team or the NBA though.
"Despite reporting record revenue last year, the club continues to lose money."
Great time to sign a check for $500+ million?