RealGM Basketball Wiretap

NBA Europe Will Feature 12 Permanent Teams, Four Open Qualifying Spots

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 22:50:40 EDT

NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed the league is moving forward with plans to launch NBA Europe, revealing a 16-team structure that will include 12 permanent franchises and four open slots available to any European club through a modified promotion and relegation format.

"The structure is in place," Silver said. "So what we are planning to launch is, essentially, a 16-team league, 12 permanent franchises, and then the ability for, frankly, any club in Europe to play in in those remaining slots. So a modified open league or modified closed league, depending on how you want to look at it."

Silver said prospective franchise groups include both existing European clubs and newly formed organizations looking to establish teams in cities without top-level basketball currently.

"Some are existing franchises that play in Europe, and then there's groups that are coming together and want to launch teams in cities that don't have top-level basketball right now," he said.

The league's relationship with the Euroleague, European club basketball's premier existing competition, remains a work in progress. Silver indicated the NBA prefers to find a path toward integration but is prepared to proceed independently if necessary.

"In terms of the Euroleague, discussions are ongoing with them. It's our hope that we can find a way to integrate these operations with the Euroleague, but we will move forward either way," Silver said.

NBA Expansion Bidding More Competitive In Las Vegas Than Seattle

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 22:20:12 EDT

Multiple investor groups have expressed early interest in NBA expansion franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle, with the league targeting fees as high as $10 billion per team. Las Vegas is drawing stronger initial interest than Seattle, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

No formal bids have been submitted. The league's financial adviser, PJT Partners, is screening potential ownership groups ahead of a structured bidding process expected later this year. PJT and the NBA declined to comment.

League executives believe each franchise could fetch between $7 billion and $10 billion. The Los Angeles Lakers sold for $10 billion last year, the only majority-stake sports transaction globally to reach that figure. The Boston Celtics set a prior benchmark in 2025 at $6.1 billion.

"The only discussion in the room was understanding the math around dilution, in terms of projection, and what's the direct reduction in existing revenues to teams if we were to expand beginning in 2028 or 2029," Commissioner Adam Silver said in March.

Among those pursuing a Las Vegas franchise are NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley, and Avenue Capital Group founder Marc Lasry. Johnson met with Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo earlier this year regarding a potential bid.

Foley, who co-controls T-Mobile Arena with Anschutz Entertainment Group and MGM Resorts International, confirmed his interest to a Nevada television station in March.

On the Seattle side, Samantha Holloway, through her firm One Roof Sports and Entertainment, which oversees the NHL's Kraken ownership group, is preparing a bid. Seattle has been without an NBA franchise since the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008.

"We are ready to work with the Commissioner and the league, at their direction, to explore bringing the NBA back to Seattle," a One Roof spokesperson said.

The NBA's board of governors is expected to vote later this year on approving one or both franchises. The league's last expansion came in 2004, when Charlotte paid $300 million for the Bobcats.

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Mon, 15 Jun 2026 05:17:03 EDT

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