NBA, FIBA partner to launch groundbreaking 16-team European league

The NBA and FIBA have taken a historic step toward expanding basketball's global footprint with plans to launch a joint European league, league officials announced Thursday. The collaboration, years in the making, aims to create a 16-team circuit that could reshape European club competition.

While specifics remain under development, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed the league would adopt FIBA rules, including 40-minute games—a departure from the NBA's 48-minute format. Critical details, such as participating teams, launch timelines, and venues, will be finalized in the coming months.

"We feel now is the time to move to that next stage," Silver said, noting that NBA owners offered "enthusiastic support" for such a move.

FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis echoed the sentiment, stating the partnership aligns with the federation's mission to "unite the basketball ecosystem" following record engagement at recent international events like the FIBA World Cup and Olympics.

Talks between the NBA and FIBA date back years, with discussions accelerating after a September Board of Governors meeting and January's NBA Paris Games, where Silver met with European stakeholders. Both leagues emphasized market readiness, with Silver noting "overwhelmingly positive" feedback from potential partners and fans.