"The NBA and FIBA said Monday they will start the process of engaging with teams and owners about joining their planned new league in Europe next month. As has been expected, the league will offer both permanent spots and "a merit-based pathway" to qualifying on an annual basis through FIBA's Basketball Champions League or an end-of-season tournament, the sides said. Every team in a FIBA-affiliated European league would have the chance to qualify."
""The format of the league respects European sport model principles by offering any ambitious club in the continent a fair pathway to the top," FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis said. Many details for the new league are yet to be formally finalized, including when it will start play - the working target has been October 2027 - and how many teams will take part in that inaugural season."
"Among the models that the NBA and FIBA have explored is a 16-team league, with 12 "permanent" spots and the other four available through qualifying. The sides have been discussing a European league for many years, and no shortage of the NBA's biggest stars right now hail from that continent - such as Denver's Nikola Jokic, Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama, the Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic and Utah's Lauri Markkanen. About 1 in 6 NBA players are from Europe."
NBA and FIBA will begin engaging teams and owners next month about a planned new European league. The league will offer permanent spots alongside a merit-based pathway to annual qualification through FIBA's Basketball Champions League or an end-of-season tournament. Every team in a FIBA-affiliated European league would have the chance to qualify. The working target for starting play is October 2027, with formats under consideration including a 16-team model featuring 12 permanent places and four qualifying slots. Financial advisors JPMorgan and the Raine Group have been engaged. Approximately one in six current NBA players are from Europe.
Read at ESPN.com
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