NBA’s bold European expansion targets 2028 launch with London and Berlin first
The NBA is advancing plans to establish a permanent European league by the 2027–28 season. Officials have pinpointed several major cities as potential homes for new teams, but significant obstacles remain before the project can materialize.
NBA Europe executive George Aivazoglou recently cited Munich, Berlin, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, London, and Manchester as possible sites for expansion. Sources close to the talks suggest London and Berlin are the likeliest starting points. The league’s return to London—where it has previously hosted regular-season games—aligns with a broader strategy to grow its European presence.
The NBA still needs to secure a team in one of its 12 target cities. Beyond that, it must finalize an entry fee structure and lock in broadcasting deals. The league aims to partner with both global streaming platforms and local broadcasters, though challenges persist in Europe’s fragmented media market. To fund the expansion, the NBA is exploring new investor types, including sovereign wealth funds.
FC Barcelona’s recent reaffirmation of its commitment to EuroLeague could complicate matters. The NBA’s long-term plan centers on reinvesting profits to develop basketball in Europe rather than pursuing short-term financial gains. Despite progress, officials acknowledge they are not yet 'a yard from the end zone' in making the vision a reality.
The NBA’s 2028 target for a European league hinges on resolving several critical issues. A team must be placed, fees agreed upon, and broadcasters secured. If successful, the expansion could reshape basketball’s global landscape—starting with cities like London and Berlin.
