14 months since first announcement.
17 months from supposed start of play.
European and global league possibilities
Re: European and global league possibilities
"Fenerbahçe Beko confirmed that it has renewed its EuroLeague license agreement."
Re: European and global league possibilities
Fan interest in an NBA Europe will depend on accessibility, cost, quality of players, connection to players.
Quite unclear on quality of players, given possible competition with Euroleague and certain competition with NCAA and NBA. Maybe Project B.
Players could be grouped into 24 & under, 25-29, 30+ or something close to it.
Pay could be less than 500k, 500k to 2mil, 2-5 mil, maybe more.
European, African, North American, maybe a few others.
How many into each slot?
12 per team or 15? Any substandard developmental slots? Can they sign players under 18?
Will free agency could at same time as NBA or after?
How common will guaranteed salaries be? Multi-year deals? Multi-years deals that are completed? Buyout rules?
Will players to be allowed to negotiate out of domestic league play? I would guess some would want to.
Will no trade clauses be allowed?
Quite unclear on quality of players, given possible competition with Euroleague and certain competition with NCAA and NBA. Maybe Project B.
Players could be grouped into 24 & under, 25-29, 30+ or something close to it.
Pay could be less than 500k, 500k to 2mil, 2-5 mil, maybe more.
European, African, North American, maybe a few others.
How many into each slot?
12 per team or 15? Any substandard developmental slots? Can they sign players under 18?
Will free agency could at same time as NBA or after?
How common will guaranteed salaries be? Multi-year deals? Multi-years deals that are completed? Buyout rules?
Will players to be allowed to negotiate out of domestic league play? I would guess some would want to.
Will no trade clauses be allowed?
Re: European and global league possibilities
Exactly when would NBA Europe playoffs run? Concurrent to NBA or before?
will some players be able to go from NBA Europe to NBA for the NBA playoffs by being done or doing a buyout?
will some players be able to go from NBA Europe to NBA for the NBA playoffs by being done or doing a buyout?
Re: European and global league possibilities
What are they going to try to do to "fan culture" and what actually happens?
Nationalism...good and not? What is allowed, what is not?
If less, what is added?
Pitch league to under 40, over 40, try for both or no bias?
What is realistic for season ticket sales? Ticket prices near court or middle distance?
What size cut will arenas get?
Nationalism...good and not? What is allowed, what is not?
If less, what is added?
Pitch league to under 40, over 40, try for both or no bias?
What is realistic for season ticket sales? Ticket prices near court or middle distance?
What size cut will arenas get?
Re: European and global league possibilities
Various sources indicated Euroleague total revenue near or over $1 billion and separately total losses at around $200 million but player salaries seem too low for either or both to be true. Not sure how high the administrative overhead is but it could be substantial. Player and team taxes may explain a lot.
Average player salary totals appear to be around $15 million but not clear if that includes taxes.
Average total budgets appear to $25+ miĺion.
Only $100-125 million is from central media rights.
Thr revenue sharing arrangements are complicated. Not sure how they will work in proposed NBA Europe but any changes will likely generate some opponents.
Average player salary totals appear to be around $15 million but not clear if that includes taxes.
Average total budgets appear to $25+ miĺion.
Only $100-125 million is from central media rights.
Thr revenue sharing arrangements are complicated. Not sure how they will work in proposed NBA Europe but any changes will likely generate some opponents.
Re: European and global league possibilities
Attendance is generally significantly higher in southern Europe. Paris and Barcelona attendance are quite modest at around 7500 and 5000 respectively.
VIP tickets break $500 in a few cases but are surely well below NBA levels.
Would want to know NBA projections and then actuals, when and if they start, and how it changes.
VIP tickets break $500 in a few cases but are surely well below NBA levels.
Would want to know NBA projections and then actuals, when and if they start, and how it changes.
Re: European and global league possibilities
Euroleague CEO says there a difference between getting a good deal and a good project.
They remain far apart. Not happening with Euroleague without major NBA movement.
Change or go it alone.
A credible threat of NBA going it alone may be needed to get Euroleague to change, if that is "necessary" for NBA to proceed towards its intended money grab. But will it be credible and will Euroleague really go beyond whatever they currently think (but haven't publicly stated) they are willing to do?
A lot of talk for nothing so far.
Either the NBA get and accept a firm bid (probably for London) or at least a more believable / public contingent agreement soon or they have nothing. Either the NBA reveals a believable public contingent media deal or they have nothing.
They remain far apart. Not happening with Euroleague without major NBA movement.
Change or go it alone.
A credible threat of NBA going it alone may be needed to get Euroleague to change, if that is "necessary" for NBA to proceed towards its intended money grab. But will it be credible and will Euroleague really go beyond whatever they currently think (but haven't publicly stated) they are willing to do?
A lot of talk for nothing so far.
Either the NBA get and accept a firm bid (probably for London) or at least a more believable / public contingent agreement soon or they have nothing. Either the NBA reveals a believable public contingent media deal or they have nothing.
Re: European and global league possibilities
5 months to supposed start of Project B. A few players and cities named for women's project but almost nothing new for 2 months. Announced dates are in spring 2027.
Still nothing tangible for supposed men's project.
Still nothing tangible for supposed men's project.
Re: European and global league possibilities
What proposal would I make at this point?
80+% of Euroleague becomes NBA Europe.
EuroCup and BCL merge.
4+ Tier 2 teams play NBA Europe on overlapping 2 yr deals. Get 75% on normal league share and must spend at least 75% of league minimum on player salaries.
New franchise in London. Maybe Paris and Rome, depending on quality of presentation of existing prospects. Maybe Manchester, Maybe Lyon. Maybe a 3rd team in Spain. Maybe Israel and some Arab state. Maybe Lithuania stays.
New franchises at perhaps $300 million.
Half of new franchise fees reserved exclusively for NBA Europe development, operation and marketing.
NBA uses at least part of other half to buyout IMG media management fees and possibly some substandard media deals that interfere with better media deals.
NBA gets 20%-30% of improved media money as such is realized. For at least 15 years. Possible participation & reward in tier 2 league media deals.
Existing EuroLeague teams pay at least $100-150 million franchise fees or grants NBA minority shares equivalent to that based on estimated valuation after 10 years. Not saleable for at least 5 years, maybe 10. A second round of franchise fees might to possible for those staying past 10 years if NBA generated revenue increases "warrant" by agreed schedule.
NBA picks CEO for first 5 years. Euroleague gets at least 1-2 senior executives with real portfolios. Co-selected CEO by NBA and original Euroleague teams for next 5 years. Selected by a league Board of Governors after that.
Board of Governors comprised of 2 NBA, 1 FIBA, 2 Euroleague initially. Adding 2 more team named over 5-10 years.
Powers of CEO named for first 5-10 years. Thereafter at least some changes allowed by agreement with CEO or super majority Board vote.
CEO can only be fired by heavy supermajority or unanimously in first 10 years. By 60-70% vote thereafter.
At least 10% of league media revenue put in a revolving fund to assist initiation of arena development in a phased cycle. Teams still responsible for at least 80% of incurred costs.
League starts with about 24 teams. Mechanism and timetable for possible expansion to 28-32 teams.
At least some mechanism / process to possibly allow buyout from NBA involvement after 15 years.
Not going into more detailed operational issues at this time.
80+% of Euroleague becomes NBA Europe.
EuroCup and BCL merge.
4+ Tier 2 teams play NBA Europe on overlapping 2 yr deals. Get 75% on normal league share and must spend at least 75% of league minimum on player salaries.
New franchise in London. Maybe Paris and Rome, depending on quality of presentation of existing prospects. Maybe Manchester, Maybe Lyon. Maybe a 3rd team in Spain. Maybe Israel and some Arab state. Maybe Lithuania stays.
New franchises at perhaps $300 million.
Half of new franchise fees reserved exclusively for NBA Europe development, operation and marketing.
NBA uses at least part of other half to buyout IMG media management fees and possibly some substandard media deals that interfere with better media deals.
NBA gets 20%-30% of improved media money as such is realized. For at least 15 years. Possible participation & reward in tier 2 league media deals.
Existing EuroLeague teams pay at least $100-150 million franchise fees or grants NBA minority shares equivalent to that based on estimated valuation after 10 years. Not saleable for at least 5 years, maybe 10. A second round of franchise fees might to possible for those staying past 10 years if NBA generated revenue increases "warrant" by agreed schedule.
NBA picks CEO for first 5 years. Euroleague gets at least 1-2 senior executives with real portfolios. Co-selected CEO by NBA and original Euroleague teams for next 5 years. Selected by a league Board of Governors after that.
Board of Governors comprised of 2 NBA, 1 FIBA, 2 Euroleague initially. Adding 2 more team named over 5-10 years.
Powers of CEO named for first 5-10 years. Thereafter at least some changes allowed by agreement with CEO or super majority Board vote.
CEO can only be fired by heavy supermajority or unanimously in first 10 years. By 60-70% vote thereafter.
At least 10% of league media revenue put in a revolving fund to assist initiation of arena development in a phased cycle. Teams still responsible for at least 80% of incurred costs.
League starts with about 24 teams. Mechanism and timetable for possible expansion to 28-32 teams.
At least some mechanism / process to possibly allow buyout from NBA involvement after 15 years.
Not going into more detailed operational issues at this time.
Re: European and global league possibilities
"Euroleague’s direct-to-consumer (DTC) ambitions. A new Euroleague ‘super app’ will rollout from next season, combining multiple services, including ticketing, merchandise and betting, into a single digital destination that will engage fans for longer and unlock new, more lucrative opportunities."
If NBA does something well. There is the option to copy it instead of ceding to it.
If NBA does something well. There is the option to copy it instead of ceding to it.
Re: European and global league possibilities
Looks like May is going to end without any noise about or proof of firm bids for franchises.
The bankers built / shared projections, presumably had meetings and made presentations but what have they accomplished?
What will be said and done in June?
Real Madrid may lurk in margin / shadows but they haven't agreed to anything or lead anyone else to NBA Europe. 1 more month to renew or not.
The bankers built / shared projections, presumably had meetings and made presentations but what have they accomplished?
What will be said and done in June?
Real Madrid may lurk in margin / shadows but they haven't agreed to anything or lead anyone else to NBA Europe. 1 more month to renew or not.
Re: European and global league possibilities
"We have made tremendous progress in creating a new league in Europe and we are in the final stages ahead of the planned launch in October 2027."
Mark Tatum
From the outside, based on public information, I strongly disagree with those characterizations of progress.
No revealed final bids, none accepted. No football clubs, no Middle East investors secured. No franchises created. No owners announced or actively working on implementation. No closure on Euroleague involvement or not or in part. No financial transaction timelines. No arena commitments. No media right contracts revealed. No clarity on NBA revenue extraction or spending commitments. No agreement on management structure. No schedule. No CEO or COO. No operating organization staffed. Zero actual marketing or sponsorships. No players. No signing window or announced rules. No player union agreement. No revealed salary system or cap. No government approvals or signals of all clear from approval and regulatory process. No revealed playoff design.
Claim that "Around 90% of the economics will stay in Europe." That would be a major change from previous information. "Economics" probably purpisely vague and probably does not include franchise fees. Stay in Europe does not necessarily mean stays with European teams or league operations. Could be NBA European bank accounts. No assure it stays at 90% after an opening phase.
"We explained to everyone that the only way to guarantee a spot in the new competition will be via a successful bid."
So Euroleague teams will make final / acceptable bids or not. So far, not to public knowledge.
"At the end of the month, the bids will be finalized, and after that, we will go through our process. There's no specific timeline for announcements."
So nothing of substance happened in May as previously projected / announced.
And we reserve the likely option to not reveal much if anything about actual bids and acceptance for longer, as long as we want & need to.
"There will be a meeting with the EuroLeague in the next couple of weeks." sounds like not scheduled or agreed to.
Mark Tatum
From the outside, based on public information, I strongly disagree with those characterizations of progress.
No revealed final bids, none accepted. No football clubs, no Middle East investors secured. No franchises created. No owners announced or actively working on implementation. No closure on Euroleague involvement or not or in part. No financial transaction timelines. No arena commitments. No media right contracts revealed. No clarity on NBA revenue extraction or spending commitments. No agreement on management structure. No schedule. No CEO or COO. No operating organization staffed. Zero actual marketing or sponsorships. No players. No signing window or announced rules. No player union agreement. No revealed salary system or cap. No government approvals or signals of all clear from approval and regulatory process. No revealed playoff design.
Claim that "Around 90% of the economics will stay in Europe." That would be a major change from previous information. "Economics" probably purpisely vague and probably does not include franchise fees. Stay in Europe does not necessarily mean stays with European teams or league operations. Could be NBA European bank accounts. No assure it stays at 90% after an opening phase.
"We explained to everyone that the only way to guarantee a spot in the new competition will be via a successful bid."
So Euroleague teams will make final / acceptable bids or not. So far, not to public knowledge.
"At the end of the month, the bids will be finalized, and after that, we will go through our process. There's no specific timeline for announcements."
So nothing of substance happened in May as previously projected / announced.
And we reserve the likely option to not reveal much if anything about actual bids and acceptance for longer, as long as we want & need to.
"There will be a meeting with the EuroLeague in the next couple of weeks." sounds like not scheduled or agreed to.
Re: European and global league possibilities
Big plans for enhancing BAL but it is all talk so far.
Still need to pick partners, receive payments, settle for arenas and / or build new ones, increase ticket sales and media rights, etc.
Still need to pick partners, receive payments, settle for arenas and / or build new ones, increase ticket sales and media rights, etc.
Re: European and global league possibilities
If NBA Europe refuses a compromise with Euroleague on fees, revenue distribution, inclusion and most or everything else, will they
get anything more than a minimal or modest media arrangement?
get fan interest?
get desired immediate arena deals? get commitments for new or upgraded arenas?
I am pretty dubious.
But they might pocket a few billion. And then do what they said they can / will do. Or not.
One might think a group / not in Euroleague would be clamoring for bid acceptance and maybe getting upset with delay.
If you have no idea of quality of competition and quality of revenue, how can you make an informed final bid? I doubt they get truly ironclad final bids / payments without providing far more information / certainty.
get anything more than a minimal or modest media arrangement?
get fan interest?
get desired immediate arena deals? get commitments for new or upgraded arenas?
I am pretty dubious.
But they might pocket a few billion. And then do what they said they can / will do. Or not.
One might think a group / not in Euroleague would be clamoring for bid acceptance and maybe getting upset with delay.
If you have no idea of quality of competition and quality of revenue, how can you make an informed final bid? I doubt they get truly ironclad final bids / payments without providing far more information / certainty.