The NBA has brought in former Chicago Bulls executive Arturas Karnisovas as a consultant for its planned European league, tentatively branded “NBA Europe,” according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
Karnisovas, 55, oversaw basketball operations in Chicago for six seasons before being dismissed in April. His résumé includes front-office work with the Denver Nuggets and a decorated international playing career that featured bronze medals with Lithuania at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics.
Sources told The Athletic that Karnisovas will advise Commissioner Adam Silver and senior league officials on governance, game rules, talent identification, player-development pathways, and ways to strengthen Europe’s existing youth programs.
The NBA’s Board of Governors is scheduled to review a second round of bids from prospective NBA Europe franchises on Tuesday. Planning is described as being in its final stages, with league launch targeted for October 2027.
Bid submissions have come from a range of ownership groups, including several current EuroLeague clubs. Applicants must also pay an entry fee to join the new competition, while discussions about a potential NBA–EuroLeague merger remain ongoing.
Current projections call for 12 permanent member teams in NBA Europe, with four additional spots available each season to clubs that excel in FIBA tournaments and their domestic leagues.
Source: HoopsRumors
