Euroleague CEO still open to NBA Europe deal, warns against market fragmentation

MILAN/MADRID, Oct 19 : The Euroleague remains open to talks with the NBA over a potential tie-up in Europe, with CEO Chus Bueno warning that competing leagues would fragment the continent's basketball market.

The continent's premier club basketball competition rejected an NBA collaboration proposal at an owners' meeting held at Italy's Lake Como on October 6. 

With the NBA pressing ahead with plans to launch a new European league in 2027, the prospect of two rival competitions emerging is increasingly coming into focus. Bueno warned of the dangers of further fragmenting the market.

"If they decide to (enter into the market), it's going to be a disaster. And they know, we know, and we don't want that," Bueno told Reuters on Monday.

"We had some conversations after Como. And the position of the owners was very clear. We will always be open to listen, and to talk with the NBA about any potential deal. But it has to make sense for us," said Bueno.

"The telephone lines are open and, if something has not worked, maybe there's something that can work in the future," he added, declining to elaborate on the terms of the NBA Europe proposal.

EXPANSION STRATEGY

The Euroleague currently consists of 13 permanent shareholder clubs but plans to approve up to eight long-term franchise licences as it expands to a 24-club competition.

Bueno said the league will announce the new teams joining the competition in mid-November as part of a multi-year growth strategy unveiled last week.

Under the expansion plan, which includes a shift to a franchise-based model, the collective value of the Euroleague's licensed clubs is projected to triple to €5.4 billion ($6.06 billion) from an estimated €1.8 billion.

The league itself is expected to rise in value to