The NBA has received finalized bids from over 20 ownership groups for NBA Europe, a new league slated to launch in October 2027. Multiple bids for permanent franchises topped $1 billion in select markets.
The league, managed by the NBA in conjunction with FIBA, will feature 16 teams at launch: 12 permanent clubs and four open spots. The bidding process for permanent franchises opened in February, targeting major cities including London, Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Munich, Milan, Rome, Istanbul, Barcelona, Manchester, Lyon and Athens.
Viable groups submitted bids in all 12 target cities. Some offers ranged between $572.4 million and $1 billion, with first-tier markets commanding higher figures.
NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum confirmed the response. "We're extremely encouraged by the final bids we received for permanent franchises in a new NBA and FIBA-backed league in Europe, which reflect the tremendous interest and momentum around this project," Tatum said in a statement Tuesday.
Tatum called the initiative the "biggest influx of capital European basketball has ever seen" and noted there are "clear frontrunners in each of our 12 target cities."
Existing EuroLeague teams have also placed bids, signaling a direct challenge to the established European basketball hierarchy.
The NBA projects initial franchises could break even by their third season. The league forecasts a cumulative distribution of more than $10 billion across the European basketball ecosystem within its first decade through franchise sales, outside investments, media rights, ticket sales and merchandise.
The NBA's Board of Governors and FIBA will begin selecting winning bids, with franchise announcements expected on a rolling basis.
The league will feature a promotion system for the four open spots, with European teams earning entry by winning a tournament for domestic league champions or by securing a victory in FIBA's Basketball Champions League. The 16 teams will compete in a round-robin regular season followed by a multi-round playoff format.
