Adam Silver, NBA commissioner, said the NBA will not disembark in Europe with its own league and by the FIBA hand “at least” for two years. “We are so at the beginning of the process that it is a bit difficult to establish a specific chronology right now,” said Silver in Oklahoma City, where the NBA finals between the Thunder and the Indiana Pacers are played these days, according to the specialized portal Sport Business Journal.
“So we are at least a couple of years of the launch”added the commissioner, who insisted that they want to advance in this proposal but also They want to make sure to “consult all relevant interested parties”including, among others, the Euroleague, players, media and marketing companies.
The NBA officially announced in March and after a Board of Governors in New York its intention to create a league in Europe with FIBA as a partner. In that historic image that the NBA project and the FIBA had A very significant absence: that of the Euroleaguean openly faced competition with the FIBA for a long time.
Still in a very premature phase of its pregnancy, Silver then spoke of a competition with 16 teams, between existing clubs and new franchise creations. Of those 16 sets, 12 would be permanent and four would be open places.
The calendar would be compatible with that of FIBA and national competitions and the games would be played 40 minutes instead of 48 of the NBA.
Nevertheless, There were many aspects in the air. For example, A possible start date of this competition was not detailed, it was not specified which European cities could house those clubs, Nor was it revealed What current teams could be interested In joining or whether or not they belong to the Euroleague.
They are expected to occur More steps Towards this NBA League in Europe in the Next Board of Governors, which will be held in July in Las Vegas.
