NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Confirms Talks with Real Madrid

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has revealed that the league has held talks with Real Madrid and other Spanish clubs as part of its exploration into expanding into Europe. In a recent press conference in Berlin, Silver shared that these discussions are still in the early stages.

I am not ready to confirm specific news. I confirm that we have also had talks with Real Madrid and other Spanish clubs. But as I said, part of this first round of discussions, which has been going on for some time, I would put more in the category of fact-finding and to make sure we fully understand what we would do in terms of long-term investment, further investment in European basketball. Therefore, it would be premature at this time to talk about more specific conversations with the clubs.Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner

EuroLeague Legal Letters Not an Obstacle, Says Silver

Addressing recent reports of legal letters sent by EuroLeague to the NBA, Silver expressed confidence that a solution can be found, with both leagues focusing on growing European basketball.

I send the legal letters to my lawyers and let them handle it. I don’t think it’s inevitable that a fight is going to happen at all. I think there’s an opportunity to grow European basketball. We don’t think of ourselves, even in the United States, as something that necessarily competes with other basketball organizations or other sports organizations. We’re competing for people’s attention.

NBA’s Vision for Europe Inspired by European Football

Silver shared his vision for the NBA’s expansion in Europe, inspired by the global fanbase and passion for European football.

If I thought the EuroLeague had reached its full potential in the interest it generates among its fans, I wouldn’t be dedicating so much time to this project. … And that, to me, is what we’re all about. There’s plenty of room to be a fan of both your favorite soccer team and your favorite basketball team. And it’s on that sense of ownership and belonging that I’m focusing on right now. Just like these great football teams, whose most glorious traditions we could list, have followers all over the United States, Asia, South America, etc. And that would be the same goal we try to achieve with a new championship here in Europe.

FAQ

Q: When will the NBA Europe league start?

A: No specific timeline has been announced yet, as the project is still in the early stages of discussion.

Q: Which European clubs will be part of the NBA Europe league?

A: While talks have been held with Real Madrid and other Spanish clubs, no definitive teams have been decided upon yet.