The NBA is escalating talks with FIBA, the sport’s global governing body, about how to best increase its competitive footprint in Europe, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Friday in an interview with The Associated Press. These talks include the potential of the NBA starting an annual competition or a separate NBA-operated league on the continent.
It’s not clear how far along the talks are, and there is no timetable established for decisions. However, after the NBA completed negotiations for the league’s new media rights deal, slated to start with the 2025-26 season, Silver said conversations with FIBA are “much more serious.