Real Madrid, Barcelona and Man City to feature in NBA Europe 'super league'

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 24 Oct 2025 07:10 CDT
• 4 min read

News

The NBA is in talks to launch a European basketball league which could feature a number of iconic football brands such as Real Madrid and Barcelona compete with their own sides.

Discussions are underway with major investors in the hopes that the first season of NBA Europe can tip off in 2027, with teams such as Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Manchester City described as ‘almost certain’ to join with their own basketball teams.

The move is being lined up to grow the NBA’s brand outside the USA, with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting that franchises could be created in 10-12 major cities across the continent, with it costing around €250-500 million to join the league.

NBA Deputy Commisioner Mark Tatum discussed the intentions with media outlets this week and stated that the plans were subject to approval from the board of FIBA (International Basketball Association) and the NBA owners.

"The initial plan is to have permanent teams in 10-12 cities, primarily in the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, and Germany. Perhaps in Turkey and Greece,” Tatum said. “We're envisioning a mix of existing teams, new teams, and soccer teams that also want to invest in basketball.

“In addition to the permanent teams, in this initial phase there will be four slots that will be assigned annually, transparently, based on sporting merit. This is the beginning, but we hope to double the number of permanent teams in seven to ten years so that other countries can also be involved."

NBA European League draws parallels to football’s European Super League as US investors close in

The decision can be compared to plans in football for a European Super League, with teams such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Fenerbahce also currently longstanding members of the EuroLeague – considered the most prestigious basketball league outside the NBA.

However, Tatum insisted a solution can be reached to allow teams to coexist in both leagues, saying: "We believe that in the basketball system we envision, there's room for every club in Europe, including those in the EuroLeague.

“We believe there's a way to achieve this; we'll continue to work with FIBA and the EuroLeague to find a solution."

The NBA have been in talks with the Gerry Cardinale, the owner of the RedBird fund who own Milan, as well as the Oaktree partners who own rivals Inter, with both American investors set to play a key role in negotiations.

It has been suggested that both Milan and Inter could co-own a Milan franchise after Cardinale met NBA commissioner Adam Silver in New York recently to discuss logistics.

The NBA have made large attempts to market in Europe, with a number of matches scheduled across the continent in the coming years, starting in London in January 2026 as well as Berlin, Manchester and Paris in the following months.

Los Angeles Lakers legend LeBron James, who has an ownership stake in Liverpool and Milan, has also explored plans to found a European basketball league, although his ambitions are now believed to be gearing towards the women’s game instead.

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