Adam Silver on Potential NBA League in Europe: ‘Still on the Table’

On Wednesday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed to reporters that its strategy in Europe may involve an independent league similar to what the NBA has built with the Basketball Africa League.

But the next day, Silver spoke at a press conference ahead of a two-game slate in Paris between the Spurs and Pacers and said that nothing is set in stone with a potential league. He said that “everything is still on the table,” including bringing in teams from the EuroLeague.

“The potential to include existing clubs, absolutely, should there be interest. The opportunity to create sustainable competition? Yes. Would we want to have a broad base of countries represented? Absolutely. I mean, that’s the benefit we have now by coming in and looking at this from a blank canvas,” Silver said.

The EuroLeague, which was established in the 1950s, is widely regarded as the second-best basketball league in the world after the NBA. Should the NBA build a league in Europe, it would have to compete directly with the EuroLeague.

IMG, the EuroLeague business arm, agreed to a long-term extension with the league earlier this year. However, according to The Athletic, the extension comes with opt-out clauses for its teams.

Silver did not comment on the deal between IMG and the EuroLeague, simply recognizing the NBA has relationships with both organizations.

“We’ve been partners in the past with the EuroLeague, and are close with many of their clubs, and are appreciative of the effort that’s going into growing basketball throughout Europe,” Silver said.

Exploring Team World vs. Team USA

Silver was also asked about the All-Star Game—which has been tweaked this year from a traditional East vs. West game to a tournament-style format—and whether the league has considered a Team USA vs. Team World game.

The commissioner, who repeatedly mentioned that about 30% of NBA players have international backgrounds, confirmed the league has discussed the potential format. However, Silver said he also wanted to remain respectful of the development that individual countries have made over the years.

“[It may] be a little bit of an old-fashioned concept where we come in as Americans and say we’ll take on the world. I’m not sure how well that would be received by our international players,” Silver said.

However, he left the door open to a Team World vs. Team USA game. “Maybe we will do that one day,” Silver said.