The NBA has announced plans to set up a 16-team franchise league in Europe from 2027 in partnership with basketball's world governing body FIBA and also involving existing EuroLeague teams.
"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," read a joint NBA/FIBA statement supplied to AFP.
"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."
The NBA's project envisages a league of 12 permanent franchises based in London, Manchester, Berlin, Munich, Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Lyon, Milan, Rome, Athens and Istanbul. Four other teams would be able to qualify for the NBA Europe competition.
Madrid, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Milan and Munich already have permanent EuroLeague teams.
After a meeting in Italy on Tuesday, the 13 EuroLeague shareholder clubs called the plan "unacceptable" but added that they had not closed the door on future negotiations. At least one club at the meeting called the NBA plan "colonialist".
The EuroLeague, Europe's premier competition since 2000, is set to expand from 20 to 24 teams for the 2027–2028 season: the 13 shareholder clubs, whose long-term licences are to be converted into franchises, eight new franchises and three guest teams.
However, its leading clubs are reportedly losing money.