The NBA plans to “leverage European soccer culture” in a new European league

NBA commissioner Adam Silver has said he wants to “leverage” European soccer culture as part of plans for a proposed European basketball league.

Silver says he has spoken to Manchester City and Manchester United, although BBC Sport understands that neither intend to form a team if the project is successful.

With the current title of NBA Europe, the plan is to launch a permanent league across the continent that could start as soon as the 2027-28 season.

Up to 16 teams from across the continent can take part, with teams from London and Manchester expected to take part.

The league is expected to consist of new franchises, existing basketball teams, and soccer clubs that do not currently have associated basketball teams.

“We are in talks with everyone, which is part of the reason why this process has been going on for so long,” Silver told BBC Sport.

“I started speaking publicly about the Paris Olympics, and we wanted to make sure we covered everyone. We’ve talked to all interested parties, and we’re covering all areas and all opportunities.”

Silver also confirmed that he has spoken to Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, as he looks to integrate established European teams with new ones.

However, reports say the current Europa League – which includes Real and Barcelona – has concerns about the new project, and is threatening legal action against the NBA should clubs breach existing agreements to participate in the new competition.

But Silver, speaking ahead of the first NBA regular season game in London since 2019 on Sunday, feels the strong support already in place from soccer clubs can play a major role in growing the game across Europe.

“I want to be careful [of] Those traditions, he said.

“This culture is so special, unique and long-established, I don’t want to fool myself or anyone else potentially involved in this new league that it can be easily transferred.

“At the same time, we want to tap into that incredible wisdom and knowledge gained over decades of work.

“As an American, I see this religious fervor around soccer clubs for people here, and we can only be so fortunate to tap into that. It’s more uniquely focused here. For me, this represents an opportunity.”

“We’re not coming into the market thinking we’re going to take away from football. What we see is a huge opportunity and a great entertainment ecosystem, and we see people all over the world turning to premium live sports.”