The NBA’s international strategy is shifting from exhibition to expansion, but not with another overseas franchise. According to Adam Silver, the league and FIBA are deep in talks to launch a new European league by 2027 or 2028, with Paris right in the middle of the plan. The move marks a major step in basketball’s global evolution and could reshape the sport’s economy across the continent.
Silver confirmed that 16 teams are projected to headline the new league, with powerhouses like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Fenerbahçe among early considerations. Paris stands out not just for its infrastructure and brand strength, but for what it represents: a global city where culture, commerce, and basketball already intersect. The rise of players like Victor Wembanyama and the renewed buzz around French hoops through Metropolitans 92 make it the natural centerpiece for an NBA-backed system.
This is not about replacing EuroLeague, it is about redefining the business of international basketball. With investment firms like JPMorgan Chase and Raine Group advising, the NBA wants to bring its production, analytics, and commercial model to Europe’s existing passion. The play is clear: turn basketball’s second largest market into a self-sustaining, NBA-quality ecosystem that connects fans and players year-round.
Paris is not just getting attention because of location. It is getting it because it feels like the bridge between leagues, continents, and the next era of global basketball.
