"Club Interest is Record-High": Silver Reveals NBA Europe Launch Date and Team Count

"We are very close to the plan we set out. We hope and expect this league in Europe to commence in the 2027/2028 season. We are on the right track. Final bids from interested franchises should be submitted to us by the end of June. We've seen record interest and are very excited about the opportunity before us and the collaboration with FIBA," Silver said.

"We plan to launch a league with 16 teams. There will be 12 permanent franchises, and there's a possibility, frankly, for any European club to compete for the remaining four spots. This is the league structure we are discussing with potential franchises. These include some franchises already playing in Europe, and there are groups looking to establish teams in cities where basketball isn't currently at its highest level. Discussions with the EuroLeague are ongoing. We hope to find a way to integrate our operations with the EuroLeague, but we will proceed regardless," the NBA Commissioner added.

"Plans for NBA expansion are underway, with a final decision expected by the end of this year. I think everyone knows we are focused on franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas. There are multiple groups interested in both cities. Discussions with them are ongoing. We have informed interested parties that we expect our Board of Governors to make a final decision by the end of the year," Silver stated.