A $1 billion bidding war, soccer giants circling, and a rival league with 25 years of history standing in the way. The NBA’s push into Europe now carries a hard deadline: October 5, when EuroLeague clubs vote on whether to partner with the American expansion or declare open competition.
The decision lands Sunday in Milan, and it shapes the future of professional basketball across the continent. The NBA Europe launch targets October 2027, featuring 16 teams total. Twelve would hold permanent franchise status, while four additional slots rotate annually based on merit. London, Paris, Madrid, Milan, and Berlin rank among the frontrunners. Bids for permanent spots have already crossed $500 million in every target market. Several exceed $1 billion.
Soccer money drives much of the interest. Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, and Manchester City, none of which currently operate basketball teams, are exploring franchise bids. Lakers guard Luka Dončić reportedly backs a Rome proposal. Commissioner Adam Silver has made clear the 2027 timeline holds regardless of Sunday’s outcome.
Meanwhile, EuroLeague presents a formidable obstacle. The competition launched in 2000 after splitting from FIBA, basketball’s global governing body. Its marquee clubs include Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Fenerbahçe. These organizations run basketball departments under the same ownership as their soccer counterparts, a structure distinct from PSG or AC Milan’s current absence from the sport.
A “yes” vote allows those existing EuroLeague powers to convert directly into NBA Europe franchises. That path hands the new league instant credibility, established fan bases, and marquee rivalries. A “no” triggers EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno’s countermove: expanding his closed system to as many as 24 teams by 2027-28, with 21 permanent members, and competing head-to-head for clubs, cities, and broadcast revenue.
Sunday’s vote determines whether the NBA Europe launch arrives with Europe’s elite clubs already onboard or collides with them for market control.
