Adam Silver confirms plans to create an independent European league in partnership with FIBA.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently confirmed during the NBA EuroLeague in Berlin that the league is working closely with FIBA to actively advance plans to establish a brand new basketball league in Europe.

Adam Silver pointed out that basketball is in a golden age, with Germany winning the Basketball World Cup and EuroBasket, and European stars such as Jokic, Doncic, Antetokounmpo and Wernbanyama demonstrating dominance in the NBA.

"Basketball is currently the fastest-growing sport in Germany," Adam Silver emphasized in an interview. "We must respect the traditions of European basketball and find the best combination of old traditions and new innovations. This is precisely the value that the NBA can bring to Europe."

Although the details have not yet been finalized, according to Adam Silver, the core model that the NBA and FIBA are currently discussing is a league consisting of 16 teams (including 12 permanent spots and 4 qualifying spots), with the current goal of officially starting in October 2027.

The plan targets major basketball hubs in Europe, including:

United Kingdom: London, Manchester

France: Paris, Lyon

Spain: Madrid, Barcelona

Germany: Munich, Berlin

• And major cities in Italy, Greece and Türkiye.

While preparing for the European leagues, Adam Silver also faces the task of expanding the NBA domestically, with Las Vegas and Seattle being the top candidates. He reiterated that a decision on expanding the NBA to more than 30 teams will be made before the end of 2026.

Adam Silver admitted, "For me, the real challenge is building a new league in Europe. It's a huge undertaking, which is why we have to proceed cautiously."