Exclusive image: NBA holds discussions with Starmer at No10, aiming to boost connections
The world of basketball is abuzz with the prospect of a new league, NBA Europe, which could potentially see London and Manchester as its founding franchises. The discussions around this ambitious project have been ongoing, with key meetings held this week between NBA commissioner Adam Silver and deputy commissioner Mark Tatum, and notable figures such as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and various private equity and venture capital firms.
The planned NBA Europe league is set to launch as early as the 2026/27 season, aiming to bridge the gap between American and European basketball markets. The initiative involves the NBA organization itself, European basketball clubs likely to participate, and media partners like Prime Video and NBC Sports, which hold NBA broadcasting rights in key European territories, including the UK.
For the UK, this development could mean increased access to top-tier basketball. NBA games are already becoming more accessible, with NBC on Sky Sports and Prime Video streaming extra regular season games and high-profile playoffs for the next 11 years. Moreover, the NBA is planning to stage regular season games in London, such as the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Orlando Magic at The O2 in January 2026, to boost fan engagement and the sport's profile in the UK and Europe.
The potential economic benefits for the UK are significant. A boost in sports tourism, increased viewership and subscriptions to sports broadcasting services, and more local commercial activity related to NBA events hosted in the country are all expected outcomes. For basketball fans, the launch of NBA Europe combined with ongoing live NBA games in London would improve access to top-tier basketball and strengthen the sport’s profile and talent development in the UK.
The NBA is taking a cautious approach to launching a European league, aware of the major undertaking it would be. The organization is seeking to present its plans to stakeholders at the highest levels to garner support. In addition to the meetings in London and Manchester, Silver and Tatum have held talks with Turkish side Galatasaray in London and Real Madrid in Paris, and are set to meet with Alba Berlin.
It has also been confirmed that a regular-season NBA game will be staged in London next year for the first time since 2019, and Manchester will host an NBA game in 2027. The NBA is expected to try to recruit some of Europe's biggest clubs to its league, with NBA Europe set to be a joint venture with world governing body Fiba.
The meetings in London this week were not just about basketball. Adam Silver and Mark Tatum also discussed the potential impact of NBA Europe on the UK economy and its basketball fans. The NBA is keen to leverage UK-market media partners and live events to foster economic benefits and fan growth locally.
The meetings with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and London Mayor Sadiq Khan were particularly significant. The discussions with Sadiq Khan marked the agreement of the games in London and explored further opportunities. Starmer gave more than 60 minutes of his schedule to the meeting, hours after his declaration that the UK would recognize a Palestinian state.
As the NBA further fleshes out its proposals for NBA Europe, conversations are set to continue. The potential launch of NBA Europe represents a major expansion effort by the NBA to create a European league with strong NBA ties, aiming to integrate transatlantic basketball markets and foster economic benefits and fan growth locally.
- The planned NBA Europe league, due to launch in the 2026/27 season, will bridge the gap between American and European basketball markets, and potentially see London and Manchester as founding franchises.
- For basketball fans in the UK, the launch of NBA Europe combined with ongoing live NBA games in London would improve access to top-tier basketball and strengthen the sport’s profile and talent development in the country.
- The meetings between NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer were particularly significant, as they discussed the potential economic benefits for the UK from the launch of NBA Europe and its potential impact on the UK basketball fans.
