Silver confirms NBA exploring European league with FIBA

NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed the league plans to explore a new basketball league in Europe with FIBA as a partner.

"We feel now is the time to move to that next stage," Silver told media Thursday, according to The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov. "At our board meeting today, there was enthusiastic support from our club owners about continuing to explore this opportunity."

Silver announced the venture after the NBA's board of governors met. FIBA general secretary Andreas Zagklis attended the meeting and the press conference.

"It's early days. Literally nothing has been agreed upon yet," Silver said, per Marc J. Spears of Andspace. The commissioner added that he wants to honor the current FIBA and European system, which includes 40-minute games.

Silver said he expects the European league would include 16 teams, with 12 of them permanent members, according to Vorkunov. Four other clubs could qualify to play each season. Silver also said he would like a salary-cap system and would allow existing NBA owners to possess equity in the league, but not in individual teams.

The NBA confirmed plans for a potential European league Wednesday after initial reports.

The NBA and FIBA have partnered before, launching the Basketball Africa League in 2021.

The NBA started playing regular-season games in Europe in 2011. Paris has regularly hosted games since 2020, including two contests between the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers this season.