The National Basketball Association's ambitious project to establish a new professional league in Europe has encountered a significant and unexpected obstacle. FC Barcelona, one of the continent's most iconic basketball clubs, has reportedly decided to reject the NBA's overtures and commit its long-term future to the existing EuroLeague competition.
Barcelona's Decision: A Critical Setback
According to reports, Barcelona has chosen to remain in the EuroLeague for an additional decade, a move that directly undermines the foundation of the proposed NBA Europe league. The club was a primary target for the NBA and its financial advisors, JPMorgan and Raine Group, who have been courting established European teams to form the backbone of the new venture.
This decision, coming as NBA top executives Adam Silver and Mark Tatum visit Berlin and London this week, represents a severe blow to the league's strategy. The continued presence of a club of Barcelona's stature in the EuroLeague makes it far more likely that other marquee names, such as Real Madrid, will also choose to stay put. The Spanish giants have yet to publicly declare their position, but industry observers believe Barcelona's choice sets a powerful precedent.
High Costs and Sceptical Owners
The NBA's vision, developed in partnership with world governing body Fiba, involves a semi-open structure with 12 permanent franchises and four annual qualifiers. However, the project has faced scepticism over its financial model. Potential franchise owners have been quoted an entry price ranging from $500 million to a staggering $1 billion.
Barcelona is said to be among those questioning the value proposition. The NBA has also targeted owners of major European football clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea's Todd Boehly, believing their global brands could drive interest. These prospective partners have reportedly pushed back on the cost, arguing that their clubs' existing prestige and fanbases bring inherent value that should be reflected in any deal.
NBA Pushes Ahead Amidst Challenges
Despite this setback, the NBA is continuing its European push this week. The league is staging a regular-season game at London's O2 Arena on Sunday, 18 January 2026, featuring the Memphis Grizzlies and the Orlando Magic—the first such event in the capital in seven years.
Furthermore, on Monday, 19 January, the NBA will host an event for potential commercial partners at a high-end central London hotel, aiming to secure foundational sponsors for the European venture. The league has also confirmed plans to take a game to the new Co-op Arena in Manchester next year, a city it hopes will host a permanent NBA Europe franchise. Both London and Berlin are lined up to have teams in the proposed league.
The NBA's long-term goal is to establish a more permanent commercial footprint in Europe, capitalising on what it perceives as an underdeveloped market for professional basketball. Barcelona's rejection, however, underscores the formidable challenge of convincing Europe's elite clubs to abandon a established and prestigious competition for an unproven, costly alternative.
