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3w ago

NBA Europe Push Advances With London Investor Summit as 2027 Target Stays on Table

A high-profile London meeting drew clubs, brands plus Gulf funds, with owners' approval still pending.

Aug 12, 2023; Springfield, MA, USA; Pau Gasol gives his speech as he is inducted into the 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame at Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAYSports
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Virgil van Dijk, the Liverpool captain, and Thierry Henry, the former Arsenal striker, were two of the stars who attended the sold-out NBA game between Orlando and Memphis in London on Sunday.
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Overview

  • The NBA and FIBA briefed roughly 250 attendees on a semi-open, 16-team model—12 licensed franchises and four annual qualifiers—still targeting an October 2027 start.
  • Hall of Famer Pau Gasol attended and is under consideration for a prominent role in the project, according to multiple reports.
  • Investors from the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Qatari interests, joined global brands such as Nike and Amazon at the London sessions.
  • EuroLeague has moved to secure clubs on new long-term licenses and has warned of possible legal action, while opt-out penalties around €10 million have been reported.
  • No teams, media rights or sponsors have been confirmed, European clubs remain cautious over revenues and franchise fees reported at $500 million to $1 billion, and the NBA’s owners still must approve the venture.