EuroLeague is reportedly rejecting the NBA’s current proposal, with some calling it “unacceptable” and “colonialist” while other stakeholders are demanding better terms.
The NBA’s proposal for a potential collaboration with EuroLeague is reportedly being rejected by virtually all shareholder teams, according to SDNA.
Per the same report, teams that prefer to keep EuroLeague independent have described the proposal as “unacceptable” and “colonialist,” while others believe the NBA would need to significantly improve its offer for negotiations to move forward.
This development comes on October 6, the reported deadline set by the NBA for EuroLeague to respond to its offer.
Per La Gazzetta dello Sport, the offer was based on EuroLeague remaining in its current structure, with no changes to the number or status of its 13 shareholder clubs.
Those shareholders are Olimpia Milano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Fenerbahce, Anadolu Efes, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, Maccabi, Bayern, ASVEL, Baskonia, Zalgiris, and CSKA, which remains suspended from competition.
EuroLeague clubs take different positions
The clubs reportedly expressed significantly different views on how EuroLeague should respond to the NBA.
SDNA reports that Panathinaikos, Real Madrid, Fenerbahce, and Bayern favored continuing negotiations and allowing the NBA to return with better terms.
For instance, Real Madrid requested another 30 days for an improved proposal.
Olympiacos, Olimpia Milano, and Barcelona, meanwhile, opposed continuing on the basis of the current proposal.
Barca reportedly described the NBA’s offer as “a joke,” while Olympiacos took the strongest position against further negotiations.
According to the same report, Olympiacos even pushed for a vote that would have ended further discussions with the NBA altogether.
However, that proposal did not pass, with the shareholders instead choosing to continue negotiations and allow the NBA to return with a new offer.
Credit Euroleague Basketball
NBA Europe could move forward without EuroLeague
The talks took place during a EuroLeague owners’ meeting in Cernobbio, Italy, where the clubs were discussing the future structure of the competition and the NBA’s proposal.
Meanwhile, the NBA continues to prepare for the launch of NBA Europe, which is targeted for the 2027-28 season and is expected to feature 12 permanent franchises alongside 4 qualifying spots.
According to Gazzetta, the NBA Europe project is expected to proceed regardless of whether an agreement with EuroLeague is reached.
FIBA is working with the NBA on the broader NBA Europe project but is not directly involved in the current NBA-EuroLeague negotiations.
FIBA Europe president Jorge Garbajosa previously told BasketNews that the discussions are bilateral between the NBA and EuroLeague, although FIBA has invited both sides to talks in an effort to help them reach an agreement.
Full BN interview with Jorge Garbajosa and Kamil Novak: The NBA Doesn’t Understand European Basketball
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