The NBA has acquired a number of billion-dollar bids for groups within the proposed European league, BBC Sport understands.
Preliminary plans for ‘NBA Europe’ are for 10 to 12 franchises that will keep within the league on an annual foundation.
It’s understood a number of bids price between $500m and $1bn (£375m to £750m) have been made, whereas there are additionally a number of above the billion-dollar mark.
Europe’s greatest groups at present compete within the EuroLeague, which was began by basketball’s worldwide governing physique Fiba however has been run by Euroleague Basketball since 2000.
Mark Tatum, the NBA’s deputy commissioner and chief working officer, mentioned the NBA had “acquired important curiosity from a variety of potential groups”.
The league is anticipated to be made up of latest franchises, present basketball groups and soccer golf equipment who might or might not have already got related basketball groups.
Greater than a dozen present groups have been in talks with the NBA, together with some EuroLeague groups, sources mentioned.
EuroLeague didn’t remark when requested by BBC Sport concerning the talks, however mentioned it’s open to exploring methods to collaborate with the NBA.
Stories have beforehand mentioned that EuroLeague has issues concerning the new enterprise, threatening authorized motion in opposition to the NBA ought to golf equipment break present agreements to participate within the new competitors.
With a present working title of NBA Europe, the plan is to launch the brand new league as quickly because the 2027-28 season.
As many as 16 groups throughout the continent could possibly be concerned, with a group from each London and Manchester anticipated to characteristic.
Tatum mentioned: “The extent of engagement and the size of the bids replicate {the marketplace}’s perception in our proposed mannequin and the large, untapped potential for European basketball.
“We are going to now evaluate the bids in additional element and shortlist the companions who share our imaginative and prescient and dedication to accelerating the expansion of the sport throughout the continent.”
