NBA Europe, the project enters its key phase: “It will be a Champions League of basketball”

The idea of a major European league directly linked to the NBA is no longer just a rumor. Mark Tatum, the league’s deputy commissioner, confirmed that NBA Europe is progressing concretely and that the first official club applications could be submitted as early as the first quarter of 2026.

A development that marks the most delicate phase of a strategic collaboration between the NBA and FIBA, designed to create an elite competition in Europe.

If we can get approval from our owners and from FIBA… then we’ll be able to start accepting entry requests in the first months of 2026

Mark Tatum

A new ecosystem: who could be part of it?

Tatum clearly indicated which countries will have a permanent place in the future league: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey and Greece. Within this select group, several clubs already have enough international weight to be considered natural candidates: Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich and ASVEL are among the first names mentioned.

The goal is to build a league with 10–12 permanent participants, inspired by the model of major European football competitions. The concept is simple: bring brands like Real Madrid, Barça, PSG, Manchester City or AC Milan into basketball, creating a sports product capable of resonating not only across Europe but also in global markets.

It would be almost like the Champions League of European basketball. Brands like Real, Barça, Manchester City, PSG or Milan playing basketball: it’s a very powerful idea, not only for Europe but for the whole world

Mark Tatum

An open pyramid, not an exclusive club

Despite the presence of fixed spots, the project doesn’t intend to close the doors to Europe’s traditional basketball markets. Tatum reiterated that Lithuania, Serbia, Croatia and other countries will have pathways to qualify for the highest level.

If you’re in Lithuania, Serbia, Croatia or other countries, we want every team to have a chance to qualify for the top tier

Mark Tatum

In other words, it will be an elite league but not a fully closed system – something like a “Champions League of basketball” with merit-based access.

The technical level? Second only to the NBA

According to Tatum, the project would occupy a precise spot in the global basketball hierarchy: the NBA gathers the best 450 players in the world, while NBA Europe could become the home of those right behind them, creating a very high-level competitive tier.

It’s an ambitious statement that underlines the intention to build a strong, credible and recognizable product.

If the NBA represents players 1 to 450, NBA Europe will be made up of players 451 to 900

Mark Tatum

Crossovers between NBA and NBA Europe: ideas and scenarios

Beyond creating the league, the NBA is already imagining points of intersection between the two ecosystems.

• In the short term: a preseason tournament in European arenas is being considered, with teams like the Knicks, Lakers or Bulls facing PSG, Real Madrid or Manchester City’s basketball teams.

• In the medium term (5–10 years): the best European teams could gain direct access to the NBA Cup.

• In the long term: with advancements in transport technology and world-class infrastructure in major European cities, Tatum hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a full-fledged NBA division based in Europe.

With better sports infrastructure and progress in supersonic travel, a future European NBA division is not out of the question

Mark Tatum

Financial sustainability and shared rules

One of the core issues concerns financial models. According to Tatum, common economic rules still need to be defined to ensure competitive balance and long-term stability. Collaboration with NBA owners and FIBA will be essential to avoid disparities between clubs and their markets.

We still have some work to do… both on the economic model and with the owners and with FIBA

Mark Tatum

Impact on the NCAA, European prospects and… the WNBA

NBA Europe could also reshape the development path for young European players: instead of moving to the United States to play NCAA basketball, they would have access to a top-tier platform at home.

And that’s not all: Tatum admitted that some investors have already inquired about the possibility of creating a WNBA Europe as well – an indication that the intention to build a complete, professional basketball ecosystem is real and concrete.