NBA to review European league proposal
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Jimmy Butler III of the Golden State Warriors reacts after getting fouled by Haywood Highsmith of the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Centre.
PHOTO: AFP
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LOS ANGELES – The National Basketball Association (NBA) is to review a proposal to create a European basketball league, a spokesperson confirmed on March 25, after a report detailed a new competition that could feature up to 10 teams.
Sports business news website Sportico said that league owners will consider a plan that comprises eight to 10 franchises, including up to four teams who already play in the EuroLeague – Europe’s top club competition.
The proposed league would also feature new franchises in cities such as London and Paris, which could be worth as much as US$500 million (S$668.5 million), Sportico reported, citing a source with direct knowledge of the plans.
An NBA spokesperson told AFP the league would consider the issue of a European league this week, noting that any new competition would be launched “in partnership” with Fiba, world basketball’s governing body.
“At this week’s NBA board of governors meeting, the league will report on its exploration of a new men’s basketball league in Europe, in partnership with Fiba,” the spokesperson said.
Rumours of the NBA taking a bigger role in European basketball have swirled for several months, with deputy commissioner Mark Tatum saying last October there was an “untapped opportunity” to grow the sport in the region.
“There’s no doubt that I think there is an opportunity for the game of basketball to continue to grow in Europe,” Tatum said on a conference call.
“And, you know, what we’re focused on is really working with Fiba and our partners in Europe to tap into this untapped opportunity to further grow the game of basketball there.”
Tatum noted that despite basketball’s popularity in Europe, the sport had “less than a 1 per cent share of the commercial market”.
“So we just think there’s an opportunity to have a better model for European basketball,” he added.
Sportico reported that while no formal vote on the European league proposal had been scheduled during this week’s meetings in New York, team owners could nevertheless vote on the plan “at any time”.
It reported that under the proposal being considered, the NBA would sell permanent franchise slots to outside investors, such as sovereign wealth funds, private capital, wealthy individuals or existing European basketball clubs.
Meanwhile, in NBA action on March 25, the Miami Heat thrashed the Golden State Warriors 112-86, handing Jimmy Butler a stinging loss in his first game against his old club since his acrimonious exit.
Butler, who was traded away to Golden State in February after a series of bust-ups with the Heat management, finished with just 11 points as the Warriors offence struggled to click.
Instead, it was Miami who dominated from the outset, grabbing the lead early on before coasting to a wire-to-wire win.
Although there were scattered boos in the Kaseya Centre crowd, Butler was greeted largely positively on his return.
“This was a huge part of my career, so I continue to say that I’m very grateful,” he said. “I ain’t spiteful towards nobody.”
In other news, Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard is facing an indefinite spell on the sidelines after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, the team confirmed.
The Bucks said the 34-year-old had been placed on blood-thinning medication to stabilise the clot, the same ailment that ended San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama’s season.
“Damian’s health is our No. 1 priority,” Bucks general manager Jon Horst said in a statement.
“We will support him as he moves through this weekly process of strict criteria to ensure that it is safe for him to return to play.
“Doctors have indicated that his situation is very unlikely to occur again. We are thankful that this was identified and medicated quickly, which helps with the recovery.” AFP, REUTERS
