The short version
- The NBA is preparing to launch a dedicated European league in October 2027, featuring between twelve and sixteen teams.
- London and Manchester are expected to host franchises, with bidding for city ownership rights closing recently at valuations up to one billion dollars.
- UK-based players like OG Anunoby view the expansion as a critical step for growing the sport's participation and professional infrastructure in Britain.
The National Basketball Association is moving forward with plans to establish a permanent European league, targeting an October 2027 launch date. This initiative represents a significant structural shift for the organization, which has historically relied on exhibition tours rather than a fixed competitive circuit outside North America. The new competition, currently operating under the working title NBA Europe, is designed to run concurrently with the standard NBA season, specifically aligning with the start of the 2027-28 campaign.
League officials indicate that the project remains on schedule despite the complexity of international expansion. Laura Pinnell, who oversees consumer groups and marketing for the NBA across Europe and the Middle East, stated that planning is progressing well. She highlighted a surge in demand following the recent closure of the bidding process for franchise ownership. The league received substantial financial offers from prospective owners, with bids for individual host cities ranging from five hundred million to one billion dollars.
The United Kingdom has emerged as a central pillar of this expansion strategy. London and Manchester are currently the leading candidates to secure franchises within the twelve-to-sixteen team structure. Pinnell described the UK market as one of the most significant opportunities for the project, citing incredible growth potential. The inclusion of British cities is intended to deepen fan engagement and stimulate youth participation in basketball across the region.
OG Anunoby, a key figure in the NBA’s growing roster of British-born talent, expressed strong support for the initiative. As a member of the New York Knicks and a two-time champion, Anunoby noted that the league has the capacity to elevate basketball in the UK to a new tier. He emphasized the existing momentum in London and Manchester, suggesting that a permanent presence would solidify the sport's standing among local fans and aspiring athletes.
Anunoby is part of a small but influential group of British players currently competing in the NBA. Alongside Jeremy Sochan of the Portland Trail Blazers, Amari Williams of the Boston Celtics, and Tobi Lawal, who is preparing for his debut with the Dallas Mavericks, Anunoby represents the current pinnacle of UK talent in the league. His perspective carries weight given his recent success; he played a starring role in helping the Knicks secure their first championship title since 1973.
Beyond his professional achievements, Anunoby has been actively involved in grassroots development during his offseason. He recently invested personal funds into the redevelopment of a basketball court in Camden, collaborating with City Hall, the National Basketball Players Association, and Camden Council. This effort underscores a broader commitment to infrastructure improvement at the community level, which aligns with the NBA’s stated goals for increasing participation through its European expansion.
The identities of the specific teams that will comprise NBA Europe are not yet public. The deadline for final bids to own franchises passed in June, and league executives hope to begin announcing the selected cities later this year. Until those announcements are made, speculation remains focused on major metropolitan areas with existing basketball cultures and financial capacity to support a franchise valued at up to one billion dollars.
While the European expansion draws attention, Anunoby’s immediate focus remains on his team’s performance in North America. The Knicks are aiming to defend their title, which would break a streak of eight different champions over the last eight years. No team has won back-to-back titles since the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018. Anunoby acknowledged the difficulty of repeating success, noting that every rival team poses a threat in a highly competitive league.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Sport↗NBA Europe will take UK to another level - Anunoby
