NBA house owners 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 encompass 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 akin 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 might be a really perfect retirement residence for ageing 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 may 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, apart from uncommon circumstances like Kemba Walker. The proposed new league immediately modifications that dynamic, on condition that the NBA and its key stakeholders would again it.
A brand new option to extend 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 towards weaker competitors on a nightly foundation, doubtlessly prolonging their careers within the course of.
In fact, that is all purely conjecture.
If the league consists of 4 EuroLeague squads, energetic NBA gamers might probably be allowed to take part as properly, 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 international locations 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 not less than one preseason or regular-season recreation practically yearly. Most just lately, the Pacers visited Paris to play the Victor Wembanyama-led Spurs in back-to-back video games earlier this yr.
