NBA: What happens to British basketball amid NBA plans?

The NBA’s main rival comes in the form of the EuroLeague, which currently runs the primary European club basketball competition.

The EuroLeague has been vocal in its opposition to the NBA in Europe and has recently threatened the NBA with legal action if it approaches EuroLeague clubs about switching to the NBA in Europe.

“I’m here to develop basketball in Europe, to make it better,” Europa League chief executive Paulius Motijonas told BBC Sport in October. “From time to time, you get these new projects or new ideas. They can either add to the status quo, make it much better, or they can be harmful.

“I truly believe this will only harm the status quo rather than improve it if it continues the way it has been presented.”

There are other hurdles and logistical issues to resolve, such as scheduling, ticket pricing, format and travel.

If the league goes ahead in line with current proposals, it could see teams from potential franchises in London and Manchester travel as far east as Türkiye and Greece for league matches.

“I think it’s a good idea, it’s just a matter of travel now. Can you do it logistically and how do you set it up logistically?” Isiah Thomas, a 12-time NBA All-Star, told BBC Sport.

“You know, 20 or 30 years ago, you didn’t have the kind of logistics that we have now in terms of moving around countries and moving to different places around the world.

“Logistically, you can now set up tournaments easily, there is enough talent and in different countries where you can really get a range of resources that you can continually draw on because the game is taught at a very young age.”

NBA Commissioner Silver also says that the NBA in Europe may not be profitable in its infancy and may have to play games earlier in smaller arenas while larger arenas are built.

Silver also says that while the league may not initially be profitable for a number of years, any early profits will go back to the continued development of the sport across Europe in line with the league’s long-term commitment to the NBA in Europe project.

Early suggestions about NBA Europe ticket prices suggest that they will be in line with prices for European sporting events and therefore be available to fans from a wide demographic.