NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum stated that the NBA’s European initiative is not intended to replace the EuroLeague, but rather to accelerate the growth of basketball in Europe through a commercially viable league.
There is still considerable uncertainty surrounding the NBA’s ambitions in Europe, as discussions continue over whether a potential new league would harm the established structure of European basketball.
The EuroLeague views the NBA's expansion plans as a threat to the sport’s deeply rooted traditions on the continent. EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas has publicly pushed back against the idea that "European basketball doesn't need to be saved".
NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum addressed the league's vision for Europe, emphasizing that the NBA sees an opportunity to accelerate the sport’s growth across the region.
"There's an opportunity to continue to accelerate the growth of basketball in Europe and to close the gap between the affinity for the game of basketball and the commercial viability of basketball in that market as well," Tatum told Reuters.
Tatum maintains that the NBA’s objective is not to replace existing competitions like the EuroLeague, but rather to establish a commercially sustainable league that honors the traditions of European basketball.
"Our goal is not to replace the EuroLeague. Our goal is to create a commercially viable league that features high quality on-court competition and respects the rich tradition of European basketball. And we think that that will better serve fans and players on the continent," Tatum said.
"We've tried for years to bring all of the relevant stakeholders together and we remain open to doing so," he added.
In addition, Tatum pointed to a significant issue holding back the sport’s development on the continent: the lack of top-tier basketball facilities.
According to him, many major European markets are underserved, leaving millions of basketball fans without access to high-level competition.
"The lack of world-class basketball facilities in Europe is striking relative to the affinity there," Tatum noted.
"There are big markets in Europe that aren't being serviced today, where there are millions of basketball fans that aren't being serviced."
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