The NBA's long-anticipated expansion into Europe is no longer a question of if, but how. Despite ongoing discussions with the EuroLeague, the NBA remains committed to launching NBA Europe in October 2027.

That determination has become even more apparent after reports that the EuroLeague board rejected a reported $581 million offer from the NBA to purchase and merge with the competition, according to U.S. sports journalist Kerrie Jacobs-Bryant.

While Commissioner Adam Silver has continued to express optimism about negotiations, league officials appear prepared to move forward regardless of whether a partnership can be reached.

If those talks ultimately stall, the NBA is expected to begin with a tournament-style competition or another limited format before expanding into a full-fledged league in future years.

Plans to expand basketball internationally through the creation of a new European league were announced in October 2025 by the NBA's deputy commissioner, Mark Tatum, who said they aimed to launch the project in the second half of 2027, according to talkSPORT.

What's becoming increasingly clear is that investors believe the opportunity is enormous. In recent months, several high-profile groups have reportedly emerged as potential bidders for franchises in NBA Europe. Among them is billionaire Nikesh Arora, who has been linked to a proposed London-based team that could play in the planned 25,000-seat London Colosseum arena.

Yet, the most significant development may be the entrance of former Toronto Raptors minority owner Larry Tanenbaum, who won an NBA Championship with the Raptors in 2019.

Former Owner Ready to Make Moves

Fresh off the sale of his 25% stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment to Rogers Communications for $3.1 billion, Tanenbaum has reportedly submitted a $1 billion bid for an NBA Europe London franchise.

While Paris Saint-Germain appears to be in pole position to secure a Paris-based expansion team, the race for London is shaping up to be far more crowded. Tanenbaum is expected to compete against groups tied to Daniel Levy, the Lewis Family, Todd Boehly, and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

The 81-year-old Canadian sports executive recently stepped away from his role as chairman of the NBA Board of Governors, ending nearly a decade in the position.

His pursuit could have a ripple effect across the entire project. Sources close to the process reportedly believe London and Paris, via the Sports Business Journal, will become the crown jewels of NBA Europe, with franchise values potentially exceeding $1 billion in both markets. Other cities are expected to command franchise valuations between $500 million and $1 billion.