Over the summer, Commissioner Adam Silver revealed the league's plans to launch NBA Europe, a new overseas league affiliated with the NBA. It initially had strong backing, as there were several takers reportedly interested in creating franchises for the new league. However, it appears EuroLeague is not quite on board with these plans.
Reports indicate that EuroLeague declined Silver's proposal to merge its teams with NBA Europe, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic. While that may be true, the rejection doesn't necessarily close the window for this new league to come to fruition.
“The EuroLeague's shareholders rejected an NBA proposal to merge Europe's top basketball competition into Adam Silver's plans for a new overseas league, three sources briefed on the rejection told The Athletic,” Vardon wrote.
Article Continues BelowAdam Silver seemingly plans to continue with this project. Additionally, Vardon's sources informed him that at least six teams in EuroLeague are open to the merger with NBA Europe. The rejection was deemed “expected,” but it appears EuroLeague is still open to negotiating a deal and did not like the terms of the first proposal.
Meanwhile, it is worthy to note that there are some teams in EuroLeague that are considered anti-NBA Europe. From the sound of it, there will be several negotiations before a final decision is announced.
Vardon also wrote that NBA Europe needs some kind of merger with EuroLeague to get it up and running. Without it, Silver's dreams of starting a league overseas are deemed “impossible.” It's said that Adam Silver wants to launch the new league as early as October 2027.

