In a significant move for global basketball, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has pinpointed a top European football giant as a key target for the league's ambitious expansion plans on the continent.
London Roundtable Reveals Parisian Target
Following a key meeting in Berlin on Friday, January 16, 2026, which focused on team financing, Commissioner Silver traveled to London for another crucial discussion. On Sunday, January 18, 2026, he met with a select group of media members and openly expressed the NBA's strong interest in Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as a potential franchise partner for the developing NBA Europe league.
During the London roundtable, Silver highlighted the French club's elite sports pedigree as a major draw. "They play at the highest level of competition (in soccer), and they have the know-how to operate a basketball club at the highest level, if they’re interested," Silver stated, confirming ongoing talks. "Yes, it’s a club we’re talking to."
PSG Emerges as Prime Candidate for NBA Europe
The commissioner's comments align with a report from the respected French publication L’Équipe, which indicated that Silver views PSG as the leading option in Paris for this groundbreaking project. The potential partnership leverages PSG's massive global brand, commercial expertise, and existing infrastructure, which are seen as ideal foundations for launching a successful top-tier basketball franchise.
This development marks a concrete step forward for the NBA Europe initiative, shifting from concept to active negotiation with established European sports powerhouses. The league's strategy appears to involve aligning with clubs that already possess a deep understanding of operating major sports entities in their local markets.
What This Means for Basketball's Global Future
The pursuit of PSG signals the NBA's serious commitment to establishing a permanent and professionally run league in Europe. This move could:
- Create a new elite competitive platform for European basketball talent.
- Dramatically increase the NBA's commercial footprint and fan engagement across Europe.
- Set a precedent for partnering with non-basketball sports organizations for franchise ownership.
While discussions are ongoing and no final agreement has been announced, Commissioner Adam Silver's public identification of PSG as a primary target provides the clearest indication yet of the shape and ambition of the proposed NBA Europe league. The basketball world will be watching closely for PSG's official response and further developments in this transatlantic sports venture.
