EuroLeague chief executive Chus Bueno is scheduled to sit down with NBA executive George Aivazoglou this week to examine whether the two leagues can launch a joint operation in Europe.
According to reporting by The Athletic, the conversation marks the first formal dialogue between the organizations since the departure of former EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas, who had previously turned down NBA overtures.
Bueno, who worked for the NBA before moving to EuroLeague, said he is open to a wide range of scenarios. He noted that any agreement must satisfy both business and basketball considerations but emphasized that “everything is on the table.”
The NBA is believed to be seeking expansion fees in the $500 million to $1 billion range. While new franchises would likely be created, the league is also interested in incorporating existing European clubs.
Bueno added that his preferred outcome would be a combined NBA–EuroLeague structure, though he did not dismiss the possibility of the NBA acquiring the European competition outright. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has previously indicated that a merger would be his favored approach.
The timing and format of any prospective league remain undetermined; both sides plan to exchange ideas during this week’s meeting before outlining next steps.
Source: HoopsRumors
