Europe’s top clubs still open to working with NBA

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 9, 2026

Europe’s top EuroLeague basketball clubs rejected the NBA’s proposal to integrate European competition into a global league but remain open to future talks, according to Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos. Despite the rejection, the NBA and FIBA plan to move forward with their NBA Europe project, aiming for a possible launch around 2027, though experts predict organizational challenges may delay implementation until 2028 or later.

Europe’s leading basketball clubs remain open to dialogue with the NBA despite recently rejecting a collaborative proposal for a new continental league, according to Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos.

On October 6, the 13 EuroLeague shareholder clubs collectively dismissed an offer from the NBA to integrate the competition into the US league’s broader global framework. The clubs described the proposal as “unacceptable” but signaled that they have not entirely ruled out future discussions.

In a social media statement the following day, Giannakopoulos, whose Athens-based team has won the European championship seven times, emphasized the importance of cooperation. He acknowledged the NBA as the world’s premier league and expressed a need for joint solutions to advance European basketball while respecting the achievements of the EuroLeague.

On October 8, the NBA and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) reaffirmed their commitment to establishing a professional men’s basketball league in Europe. Despite the rebuff, they indicated their intent to proceed with the NBA Europe project, potentially launching as early as 2027, with or without an agreement in place. In a joint statement, both organizations highlighted the potential benefits of a unified European basketball ecosystem, citing increased growth and sustainability as key objectives.

Industry insiders, however, suggested that the creation of a combined league is unlikely to occur before 2028 due to the logistical complexities involved with organizing a new competition within the 2027-28 season timeframe.

Giannakopoulos also commented on divisions within European basketball, noting that some teams appear resistant to the sport’s development, focusing instead on financial losses rather than growth opportunities. “They still believe that success is how much money you lose at the end of the year. Basketball is not a high boys toy,” he remarked, underscoring a clash of priorities among stakeholders.

As the future of European basketball appears to be at a crossroads, negotiations and strategic decisions among governing bodies and clubs will likely shape the landscape in the coming years.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.