Overview
- Artūras Karnisovas was hired as a consultant to the NBA Europe project on Monday, July 13, 2026, to advise commissioner Adam Silver and senior staff.
- The NBA says Karnisovas will provide counsel on league governance, game rules, talent identification and recruitment, and the design of youth-to-pro player pathways.
- Karnisovas will act as a formal liaison between the NBA, the proposed NBA Europe competition and FIBA, according to reports that described the move as part of final-stage planning.
- The project is reported to be targeting an October 2027 launch with a proposed 16-team model made up of 12 permanent franchises and four qualification spots and with the NBA holding a roughly 50% stake, though those details await official approvals.
- Karnisovas brings long experience as an international player and NBA executive and his appointment could ease talks with European clubs and governing bodies while shaping how owners, entry fees and qualification rules will affect domestic leagues and youth development.