NBA homeowners will convene this week to debate plans to ascertain a brand new European sister league, based on a report from Sportico.
The proposed league is reportedly anticipated to include eight to 10 franchises, together with 4 of the highest groups from the EuroLeague. The NBA would then maintain bidding for franchises in Euro capitals similar to London or Paris, the place it expects groups to be bought for over $500M.
If the plan involves fruition, a franchise in a market like London or Paris may very well be a really perfect retirement residence for growing old NBA stars. The likes of Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Paul George, Bradley Beal and Khris Middleton are unlikely to obtain one other maximum-level contract earlier than using off into the sundown. However they might maximize their earnings by being the faces of latest European franchises in want of star energy.
Traditionally, solely ex-NBA function gamers head to the European circuit to proceed their professional careers, except for uncommon instances like Kemba Walker. The proposed new league immediately modifications that dynamic, provided that the NBA and its key stakeholders would again it.
A brand new technique to delay careers?
Even perennially-injured stars like Kawhi Leonard and Joel Embiid may gain advantage from the league. They’d presumably have lighter workloads and play in opposition to weaker competitors on a nightly foundation, doubtlessly prolonging their careers within the course of.
After all, that is all purely conjecture.
If the league consists of 4 EuroLeague squads, lively NBA gamers might seemingly be allowed to take part as nicely, doubtlessly pulling double responsibility after wrapping up their time within the U.S. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic are already accustomed to such a schedule, representing their nations at FIBA-based occasions in latest summers.
The chatter of an NBA-owned European league first gained steam throughout final yr’s Paris Olympics when commissioner Adam Silver met with officials from FIBA and EuroLeague to debate methods for the NBA to optimize the Euro market. The NBA has generated just a few hundred million {dollars} yearly from Europe in recent times, however the league believes it’s simply scratching the floor of the alternatives that await.
The NBA first performed an exhibition recreation in Europe in 1984. Since 1991, it has hosted no less than one preseason or regular-season recreation almost yearly. Most not too long ago, the Pacers visited Paris to play the Victor Wembanyama-led Spurs in back-to-back video games earlier this yr.
