Sources: EuroLeague members reject NBA offer to merge into NBA Europe

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  Brian WindhorstOct 6, 2026, 10:01 PM ET

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  • ESPN.com NBA writer since 2010
  • Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years
  • Author of two books

Members of the Euroleague rejected a formal offer from the NBA this week to merge and create a single NBA Europe operation, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.

The decision was made after a rare meeting among the clubs on Lake Como in Italy after the NBA had submitted the offer following more than two years working on creating the new league.

The decision by the Euroleague clubs, who are considering their own plan to expand in the face of the NBA's planned entrance to the marketplace, was not unexpected.

The plans for NBA Europe will go forward, despite the rejection of the merger offer, with the intent on forming a 16-team league that could start as early as the 2027-28 season, sources told ESPN. The NBA has received lucrative bids on expansion franchises in cities across Europe and they plan to create teams that could directly compete for fans, media rights and sponsorship dollars with the Euroleague.

Another split in European basketball occurred back in 2000-01, when a new league known as the ULEB broke away from the established FIBA-led league and the two had an uncomfortable, and unprofitable, divided season. The next year, the leagues combined so that both could survive and the modern Euroleague was born.

NBA owners, who were briefed on the progress of NBA Europe during last month's Board of Governors meeting in New York, are behind the new venture and are looking at it as a long-term play to create value.

"This is a 20-year project," one owner told ESPN. "And that's how we're approaching it."

According to high-ranking European basketball officials who have been involved in the negotiations, a significant number of the 13 permanent Euroleague teams have expressed an interest in joining NBA Europe. It has led to a fractured situation with many different angles and teams looking to secure their present and future. For now, though, the coalition is holding against the NBA's recruitment attempts. But negotiations are expected to continue, sources said.

The model the NBA has been interested in creating would allow teams to compete in their national leagues on desired weekend days and play in NBA Europe during the week, sources said. There would also be expanded rosters so teams can have the depth to play in multiple competitions with a focus on investing in European player development.

But the NBA's proposal, which several European media outlets have described as a "buyout" offer for the Euroleague, so far has been rejected.

Front Office Sports first reported Euroleague's rejection of the NBA's proposal.