The NBA’s reported discussions with Manchester City and Real Madrid are part of an ambitious strategy aimed at expanding professional basketball’s footprint in Europe through the creation of a new NBA-backed European league.
The talks, which have attracted significant attention across the global sports landscape, centre on the NBA’s long-term vision to partner with established, globally recognised football institutions that already possess elite infrastructure, commercial strength and massive international fanbases.
A New NBA Europe Vision
At the heart of the discussions is the NBA’s interest in launching a standalone European competition, often referred to as “NBA Europe.” The league would operate separately from the NBA in North America but follow similar commercial, branding and competition models.
Manchester City and Real Madrid have emerged as attractive partners due to their proven success in operating multi-sport ecosystems. Real Madrid already boasts one of Europe’s most successful basketball teams, while Manchester City’s City Football Group has demonstrated expertise in global sports expansion, commercial partnerships and data-driven performance management.
Why Manchester City?
Manchester City’s appeal lies less in its football team and more in its ownership structure and global network. Backed by City Football Group, the club has experience managing sports franchises across continents, making it an ideal partner for a league seeking operational excellence and international scalability.
The NBA views City’s commercial reach, modern facilities and marketing expertise as key assets in establishing a competitive and commercially viable European basketball product.
Why Real Madrid?
Real Madrid represents a more traditional basketball powerhouse. The club’s basketball section has a storied history in European competition and a loyal fanbase accustomed to elite-level basketball.
For the NBA, Real Madrid offers instant credibility, historical prestige and access to a market where basketball already commands strong interest. Aligning with the Spanish giants would help bridge the gap between European basketball culture and the NBA’s entertainment-driven model.
What the NBA Stands to Gain
By partnering with iconic European brands, the NBA hopes to:
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Accelerate basketball growth across Europe
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Create new revenue streams through media rights and sponsorships
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Compete more effectively with existing European basketball structures
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Attract younger audiences with an NBA-style product closer to home
The move also reflects the NBA’s broader global ambitions, following successful expansion efforts in Africa and Asia.
What Happens Next
While discussions remain exploratory, any formal agreement would require coordination with European basketball governing bodies and domestic leagues. If successful, the project could reshape the continent’s basketball landscape and redefine how global sports leagues collaborate across disciplines.
For now, the talks signal intent rather than confirmation, but they underline a growing trend of cross-sport collaboration as major organisations seek new markets, audiences and commercial opportunities.
