The NBA Europe project is moving forward… but there are many obstacles

In recent days, the NBA has moved all its decorations to Europe, for two meetings in between Magic and the Grizzlies in Berlin and then in London. But it’s more behind the scenes that the North American League has implemented.

Adam Silverhis right hand Mark Tatumdirector of the NBA for Europe and the Middle East George Aivazoglou…Thinking project managers NBA Europe they were all on the Old Continent to discuss and negotiate the contours of their future league. And if in recent days Real Madrid did a big step according to this new entity, for certain clubs, approaches are more complicated.

Even out of desire, the NBA sometimes faces “technical” limitations. This is the case for le FC Barcelona. Catalan media Mundo Deportivoalways very up to date with Blaugrana news, this Monday explains the problems NBA Europe is creating for the Barcelona club.

On Sunday, a meeting was held with some of its representatives and NBA managers, and the mediator was Pau Gasol, former legend of Barça, then of the Lakers. The two-time European champions have extended their license to continue the Euroleague, but keep an eye on NBA Europe. ” The NBA wants Barça in its future league, but Barça doesn’t see it so clearly » Summary Sports world.

Barca’s model currently prevents it from joining NBA Europe

The very structure of the club is in question. FC Barcelona – like three other clubs in Spain, Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna – has a special commercial status, the status of a non-profit organization. Barca belongs to its members, partnerswho hold power by electing the president of the club every two and a half years. This model is the opposite of the commercial one that would require moving to NBA Europe.

To achieve this, FC Barcelona would have to transform itself in the US (for Sociedad Anonima Deportiva, an anonymous sports company), which the club has always categorically refused to do in order to preserve its historic cultural exception. The only remaining option: the creation of a commercial company, which would restore the commercial and operational rights of all Barça, and above all, enable the arrival of an external investor to pay the ticket to NBA Europe, set between 500 million and 1 billion dollars. A sum that FC Barcelona, ​​or any other European basketball club, does not have.

Clause that clubs can leave the Euroleague?

« Funding could potentially come, at least initially, from league clubs » explained Adam Silver at the press conference last Thursday. ” In a similar way to the launch of any startup, the participants would also be investors. And over time, we would hope for a return on investment. (…) If we were to successfully launch this new league, it would take time to make it a commercially viable venture. »

In the case of FC Barcelona, ​​the creation of a commercial subsidiary financed by an external actor would raise doubts about the weight of this investor in the sporting choices of Cules, not only for the basketball section but also for other components. Mundo Deportivo assures that no actor has come forward so far. The Catalans thus remain open to future integration into NBA Europe, but want greater visibility on the economic health of the project. In this sense, the newspaper specifies that Barça has a clause in his contract with the Euroleaguein the amount of 10 million euros, to leave the current main European competition.

Manchester United and Manchester City are not interested

In order to find a partner with sufficient funds, the NBA also knocked on the door of several European football clubs, such as Paris Saint Germainwhich is of great interest to Adam Silver. The League commissioner, however, would meet with rejection from the side Manchester United and from Manchester City they assure the BBCdespite talks with two giants of English football. ” We talk to everyone and that’s part of why this process is taking so long » explained Adam Silver for BBC Sport. The NBA has announced that a team should be formed in Manchester for the first version of its European league.

She could have more chances with other European soccer giants during a meeting this Monday on “NBA NEXT: Europe” in the presence of representatives of several teams. according to Eurohoops. FC Barcelona, ​​Real Madrid, Le Bayern Munich, le Panathinaikos but also l’EA7 Milanall currently present in the Euroleague. ALBA Berlindefection from the Euroleague to the Champions League from this season 2025/26 is also in play. The “surprise” guest is l’AC Milanthe legendary Italian football club, but which has never attempted an adventure in transalpine basketball. The prospects for the club in the Lombard city, mentioned by the NBA, could shake things up.

This meeting aims to present to the clubs financial projections of what NBA Europe could offer, especially compared to various European soccer competitions, and to meet potential investors and commercial partners. New details about this new league, especially about its participants, should be announced in the coming days, Eurohoops assures.