NBA Europe draws multiple bids, including $1B offers – report

Multiple bidders have proposed investments of at least $1 billion in the startup NBA Europe league, according to The Athletic on Wednesday.

Reports indicate that over 120 investors expressed interest before Tuesday’s midnight deadline for non-binding proposals, with bids ranging widely.

"We have received significant interest from a range of prospective teams and investors for permanent franchise spots in a new league in Europe," NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum said in a statement to The Athletic. "The level of engagement and the scale of the bids reflect the marketplace's belief in our proposed model and the enormous, untapped potential for European basketball. We will now review the bids in more detail and shortlist the partners who share our vision and commitment to accelerating the growth of the game across the continent."

The NBA is reportedly seeking between $500 million and $1 billion for a permanent entry into the league. The targeted cities for 12 permanent franchises include London, Manchester, Paris, Lyon, Rome, Milan, Barcelona, Madrid, Berlin, Munich, Athens, and Istanbul.

These 12 licensed teams would be joined each year by four teams that earn their place through performance in smaller European leagues.

Talks have also intensified around a potential partnership between the NBA and the EuroLeague, though some competition between the two sides is possible.

"I think for the betterment of European basketball, the best outcome would be if we came together with the EuroLeague here and came up with a systematic approach to growing the game throughout Europe," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said last week.

Silver’s target remains an October 2027 launch for the NBA Europe league.

—Field Level Media/Reuters