NBA’s European Expansion: A New Era for Basketball?
Menudos días hemos vivido esta última semana con el futuro desembarco de la NBA en nuestro baloncesto, con la creación de una competición que amenaza con acabar con la hegemonía de una Euroliga que puede vivir un trasvase de equipos que la deje herida de muerte. Pero para ello todavía hay que esperar a ver los planes que la competición americana tiene en Europa junto a la FIBA, que tras no conseguir arrebatarle el protagonismo deseado a la Euroliga con su Champions, se prepara para un segundo asalto que esta vez sí que puede ser definitivo. A día de hoy todo está en un proceso muy embrionario, y a diferencia de lo que sucedió con la Superliga de fútbol, el anuncio de la creación de esta nueva competición todavía mantiene la incógnita de saber qué equipos la integrarán. Esperemos que no sea tan ‘chapucera’ como la futbolera.
However, for that to happen, we still need to wait to see the plans that the American competition has in Europe alongside the FIBA, which, after failing to wrest the desired protagonism from the EuroLeague with its Champions League, is preparing a second assault that could be definitive this time. As of today, everything is in a very embryonic process, and unlike what happened with the soccer Super League, the announcement of the creation of this new competition still keeps the mystery of which teams will integrate it.
How Much Money Is There in Europe?
Firstly, thinking about the NBA’s arrival in our basketball clearly shows that the American competition sees an opportunity to make money in Europe. It has to be clear that this is the primary premise on which the project is based. The NBA’s priority, as is logical, is the NBA, and if then there is a possibility of scratching more money beyond American borders, then that’s where they’ll go. They say that between Europe and the Middle East, they can generate more than $3.5 billion a year. I have many doubts about the veracity of that statement.
Because only there is to see that the EuroLeague, to find more income, had to go to the United Arab Emirates. First, to get $25 million for this year’s Final Four. They could be $50 more with two editions that are being talked about. And then by the entry of Dubai into the competition, with an agreement for the next seven years, for a total amount of about $70 million, which translates into $1 million for each owner team of the EuroLeague. And there is where, for me, the big problem is: I believe that the European market doesn’t have room for more, and that with the current competition, the teams have to be content with crumbs.
The EuroLeague’s Aura
It’s complicated, because the essence that the EuroLeague has is practically unique at a global level. And facing a change of competition, all of that could be affected, that doesn’t have to be the case. Because there is no doubt that the NBA would not set up a competition without the major names from our continent, counting teams and players. And that’s where Relevo’s problem comes in: I fear that with the entry of the NBA this changes, and we are facing a new paradigm in our basketball, just as it happened 25 years ago.
Relevo Shutting Down
Last week, the sad news was confirmed that Relevo is closing and will cease its activity next May. It’s always a bad thing to see a medium having to lower the curtain, fueling a phrase that has been pronounced for too long, such as the precariousness that the sector lives. Despite being competitors, there is no problem admitting that they have done a very good job with basketball, with a Noelia Gomez Mira who in these three years of project has consolidated herself as one of the best basketball journalists in our country. She’ll receive many proposals, I have no doubts. Many out and plenty of encouragement for the whole Relevo family.
Did you know? Keep an eye on the latest developments in the NBA’s European expansion plans – it could reshape the future of basketball!