The Euroleague has labelled the NBA’s plan to explore creating a rival league in Europe, in partnership with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), as a "threat" to European basketball.
The Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA), the private company that organises Europe’s top basketball competition, issued a statement following its board meeting warning that such projects could fragment the sport and cause confusion.
At the same time, the board expressed its openness to dialogue with any party genuinely interested in contributing to the growth of European basketball.
Euroleague group C basketball game between Belgian club Spirou Charleroi and Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv, in Charleroi, Thursday 22 December 2011. Credit: Belga / Virginie Lefour
However, the ECA remains committed to opposing any initiative that undermines the core values, tradition, and fans of European sports.
On 27 March, the NBA announced its intention to explore creating a European league in partnership with FIBA. Top European clubs split from FIBA in 2000 to establish the Euroleague.
The proposed league would feature 12 permanent franchises and four rotating members, though the NBA stressed that no final decisions have been made.
