Overview
- Dončić confirmed on Friday that he is part of an investor group led by former Mavericks executive Donnie Nelson that purchased Vanoli Cremona and will relocate the club to Rome for the 2026–27 season.
- The ownership group also includes former Italian coach Valerio Bianchini and ex-player Rimantas Kaukenas, with Nelson serving as the managing partner responsible for day-to-day planning.
- The investors have submitted a bid for the relocated club to represent Rome in the proposed NBA Europe league that the NBA and FIBA are developing with a possible start as soon as fall 2027.
- Dončić said the project fulfills a long-held dream but emphasized he will remain focused on his Lakers career and ongoing hamstring rehabilitation rather than let ownership distract from playing.
- Rome has not had a top-division team since Virtus Roma folded in 2020 and the move could revive local pro basketball while raising questions about league rules, ownership limits, and how NBA Europe would fit alongside existing European competitions.