The NBA is moving forward quickly and what just a few months ago seemed like a hypothesis is turning into an almost concrete scenario: the creation of an NBA-branded championship in Europe.
First aspect: no agreement with Euroleague and FIBA. Commissioner Adam Silver‘s goal is obtain the membership of the top European clubs, who seem to look favorably on the realization of the project. Panathinaikos coach Ergin Ataman had warned:
We are the best club, with the best arena and the best fans. Attention, Euroleague: we could ask for an invitation to the NBA
Ergin Ataman
While Pana waits, other prestigious clubs also dream of possible admission to the new championship, including Real Madridwhich has been among the possible candidates for years.
The reports also reveal the NBA’s need for close the gap in the G-League, unable to produce enough new talent, while Europe has provided five of the last six MVPs in the NBA (which in the meantime saw the start of the new Emirates Cup).
At a time when relations between FIBA and the Euroleague are tense, the NBA advances with a project that could profoundly alter the balance of European basketball.
