NBA Europe remains in its infancy. Although the American league has pulled out all the stops—including a firm proposal to the EuroLeague to merge and create a single competition under that name—the clubs of the Old Continent have rejected such an offer and remain steadfast in their plans, for the time being.
The truth is that the move by the EuroLeague is not surprising. Although there are teams intrigued – even inclined – to join a tournament backed by the NBA, no one wants to lose control of it, so the “no” they issued in the last hours after meeting in Como (Italy) points more to a negotiating tactic than to a hard line.
Although the NBA has asserted that it has received lucrative offers for expansion franchises in cities across Europe—reaching out to football giants—, which suggests it could compete directly with the EuroLeague both emotionally (fans) and commercially, they are nevertheless clear that the path would be far more palatable if it emerged with the momentum of the current great clubs and without a competition of such magnitude.
The negotiation is by no means broken. In Europe they know what it means to have two major competitions (this happened in 2001) and the result was so disastrous that the following year they agreed to end such absurdity. Now the NBA is the one more interested in pushing into a new (and enormous) market, so a new offer with better terms for the EuroLeague seems nearly ready, pending a date. Exactly, it’s almost a fresh start toward the long-desired fusion.
The EuroLeague, expansion at the expense of the NBA
Parallel to the possible agreement with the NBA, the EuroLeague clubs are pursuing their own expansion plan. Thus, at the aforementioned meeting on Italian soil, it was the president of the leading European competition, Dejan Bodiroga, and its CEO, Chus Bueno, who spoke about the approved strategic map and the 10-year business plan, which includes converting the current licenses into franchises. Here is the official statement.
In broad terms, the EuroLeague is moving toward its own growth and expansion plan, signaling to the NBA that they are not just any opponent (and potential partner), but that they control their own mechanisms to make basketball profitable in Europe. And of course, we must not forget that Chus Bueno spent up to 12 years in the American competition, which means his business vision is shaped by that.
The NBA owners, at ease
For fusion plans or the creation of a new competition to progress, it is essential that the NBA owners are convinced and backing it. Well, ESPN notes that they were informed of the advances last month at the board of governors meeting held in New York, backing this new initiative and considering it a long-term bet to generate value.
Entering a bit into the sporting model the NBA has proposed, it would allow teams to compete in their national leagues on weekends and play in NBA Europe. In addition, and just as is already happening with the EuroLeague, rosters would be expanded so that teams would have the depth necessary to compete in multiple competitions. In Europe, this is appealing, but the real dispute lies in the ownership of the new competition; and under the current offer, many believe that the NBA is aiming for an outright acquisition.
