NBA Vice President Mark Tatum: The Champion of the Next Basketball Champions League Season Will Earn the Right to Join NBA Europe

Tatum stated that the project is progressing according to the planned schedule, saying, "We are making significant progress on a new league in Europe and are in the final stages before our planned launch in October 2027. In partnership with FIBA, we have developed a model that we believe will provide significant benefits for fans, clubs, and players. Final proposals will be submitted at the end of this month. After that, we will meet with the NBA Board of Directors, and FIBA will conduct its own process. I won't give you a specific timeline because we need to complete negotiations with many of these clubs and reach agreements. However, we are on the right track for our planned launch in October 2027," he said.

'THE CHAMPION OF THE NEXT BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEASON WILL EARN THE RIGHT TO JOIN NBA EUROPE'

Speaking about the contributions the new league will make to European basketball, Tatum continued:

"We believe our league will expand access to European basketball and elevate its level. The structure we will create will be a more open and success-oriented system that provides significant benefits for fans, clubs, and players. The model is truly built to prioritize teams and long-term growth. Having a clear path for clubs to join our league creates more transparency, more meaningful games, and stronger incentives for investment. This benefits the entire basketball ecosystem."

Tatum also touched on FIBA's role in the project and the path that will open through the Basketball Champions League, saying, "Our partner FIBA will be an important part of this. Assuming we start in October 2027, for example, the champion of the next Basketball Champions League (BCL) season will earn the right to join our top-level league," he said.

'THE RUMORS THAT THIS MONEY WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE UNITED STATES ARE NOT TRUE'

Speaking about the economic model, Tatum stated that the project is designed not to extract value from European basketball but to create long-term value, saying, "This model is built to create long-term value for teams and European basketball; this is not a project about extracting value. A very large portion of the economic value will go to the teams. A very large portion of the investment from franchise fees will be reinvested in European basketball. The rumors that this money will be transferred to the United States are not true. The money from franchise fees will help finance initial losses. This reduces risk for the teams and means they do not need to put in additional capital initially. A very large portion of this money, approximately 85 to 90 percent of the economic structure, will remain in Europe," he said.

Tatum stated that discussions with investors and clubs are also at an advanced stage, saying, "Since the first offers were made in March, we have been in contact with different investors and potential investment groups over the past few months. We have advanced the discussions. We are talking to them about how the model will look for them. We are quite advanced in our discussions with many interested parties. These processes take time, but we are at a very advanced stage with many clubs in Europe, both existing basketball clubs and potential new clubs and new investors. These teams plan to make significant investments, so they want to understand very well what the return on these investments will be. There are also many discussions around infrastructure plans. Teams are presenting us with their plans to build a new arena or training facility. Therefore, the process takes time, but we are quite satisfied with where we are," he said.

'IF WE CANNOT FIND A SOLUTION WITH EUROLEAGUE, WE ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR PARTNERS AND INVESTORS, INCLUDING FIBA'

Making a statement about the ongoing discussions with EuroLeague, Tatum said:

"We continue our active discussions with EuroLeague and continue to seek a constructive, collaborative, and harmonious outcome across the entire European basketball ecosystem. We are consistent in our belief that all parties should come together in the interests of basketball. However, we are realistic. If we cannot resolve this, we are ready to move forward with our partners and investors, including FIBA. With the help and leadership of FIBA, we plan to meet again with EuroLeague management in the coming weeks. Everyone in the EuroLeague system, both clubs and the league, knows that the only guaranteed way to secure a permanent place in our league is through the bidding process and a successful permanent franchise offer within our investment process."