The NBA is accelerating efforts to establish a Europe-based competition, aiming for an October 2027 debut, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
League officials are studying several potential host cities, and weekend exhibition games in Berlin and London were scheduled in part to test those markets. Multiple sources told Vardon that Berlin’s Alba Berlin has emerged as the front-runner to represent Germany in the proposed venture.
Commissioner Adam Silver publicly praised the club’s model, calling Alba “an exemplar of how a top-tier club should be run and organized.” He highlighted its youth academy, city-wide coaching network, and consistent fan support. Silver also pointed to Orlando Magic teammates Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner—both developed in Alba’s system—as evidence of the program’s effectiveness.
Although Alba lacks the financial resources of European powerhouses such as FC Barcelona, the organization’s structure and talent pipeline align with what the NBA wants, Vardon reported. The club recently ended a binding agreement with the EuroLeague, eliminating a significant contractual hurdle.
Alba majority owner Axel Schweitzer said the move away from EuroLeague stemmed from financial concerns. “EuroLeague is not financially sustainable,” he told The Athletic, adding that the NBA platform would offer exposure to a much larger market.
The league has not finalized its European framework, but Alba Berlin appears positioned to be part of the inaugural lineup when the new competition tips off in 2027.
Source: Hoops Wire
