The NBA has reportedly received finalized bids from more than 20 groups seeking places in NBA Europe, a proposed league planned for launch in October 2027. ESPN says some bids in selected markets have exceeded $1 billion, though no franchises have been officially awarded yet.
The project, run by the NBA in partnership with FIBA, is being built around 12 permanent clubs and four additional places that could be earned through a promotion pathway. The target cities named in the report include London, Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Munich, Milan, Rome, Istanbul, Barcelona, Manchester, Lyon and Athens.
If the plan moves forward as described, NBA Europe would create a direct new rival to the existing EuroLeague structure while also offering an NBA-backed platform for clubs across the continent. The proposed format includes a round-robin regular season, playoffs and a Finals.
The biggest unknowns remain which ownership groups will be selected, how current EuroLeague teams might be affected, and whether the financial projections can hold up once media, ticketing and club operations become real rather than forecasted. For now, the report points to strong investor interest but not yet a completed league lineup.
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