NBA Targets 2027-28 Launch for European League, Silver Says
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Commissioner Adam Silver said the NBA’s planned European league remains on schedule, projecting a 2027-28 debut and calling franchise interest “record-setting” during his annual Finals-week press conference.
European venture moving ahead
Silver told reporters the joint project with FIBA expects final franchise bids by the end of June. “We are very much on schedule,” he said, adding that the league is “working closely with FIBA” to finalize details.
The commissioner noted that the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association have not decided whether active players may hold equity in NBA Europe clubs. The question arose after Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić joined an investor group led by former Mavericks executive Donnie Nelson that hopes to place a team in Rome. Current NBA rules bar players from owning stakes in domestic franchises, and Silver said no determination has been made on whether that restriction will extend overseas.
Clippers investigation nearing conclusion
Silver indicated the league is close to finishing an investigation into whether the Los Angeles Clippers tried to skirt salary-cap rules by arranging a no-show job for Kawhi Leonard with a now-defunct environmental firm. The probe, conducted by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz since September, could lead to fines, loss of draft picks or the voiding of Leonard’s contract. “The most important thing is that we get it right,” Silver said.
Expansion talks continue
No formal updates were offered on potential expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas, though Silver confirmed “multiple groups” are pursuing franchises in both markets. The Board of Governors is expected to decide by year’s end, and Silver cautioned that expansion is “not a foregone conclusion.”
Lottery reform driven by tanking concerns
Addressing recently adopted draft lottery changes, Silver said the league acted because losing games for draft position had become widespread. “We found ourselves in a situation this year where all of a sudden it seemed like a third of the league maybe was responding in what an economist would say is very rational behavior but nontraditional behavior,” he said.
Honoring David Stern
The league continues to evaluate ways to commemorate former commissioner David Stern, who died six years ago. Silver said officials want to ensure any tribute gives Stern “his just due.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
