The whispers have grown louder, evolving into a resonant hum across the European sporting landscape: could an NBA-linked basketball league truly materialize on the continent? The answer, increasingly, appears to be “yes,” and at the heart of these ambitious discussions lies Milan, a city deeply entrenched in sports history, now potentially poised for a groundbreaking new chapter.
The Architect and the Vision
At the center of these compelling discussions sits Gerry Cardinale, the astute founder of RedBird Capital Partners, the investment fund that notably owns Italian football giants AC Milan. Cardinale is not merely an interested observer; he is identified as a key interlocutor for NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, signaling the serious nature of the ongoing dialogue.
Cardinale`s strategy isn`t new; it`s a carefully cultivated philosophy of multi-club ownership across different sports. As he articulated back in 2022, “A property with different clubs in different sports is interesting; I believe that this way you can have strategic benefits. Through synergies you can grow.” A peculiar thought, perhaps, for those accustomed to a clear delineation between sports, but Cardinale sees synergy, not separation. This vision positions Milan, with its established RedBird connection through AC Milan, as an ideal canvas for such an experiment.
A League of Their Own?
This isn`t just about exhibition games; it`s about a fundamental restructuring of European basketball. The NBA is reportedly contemplating the creation of an entirely new basketball league in Europe, one that would operate in conjunction with, yet be distinct from, the existing NBA infrastructure. The prestigious sports publication The Athletic revealed that Commissioner Silver and high-ranking NBA executives have already engaged with representatives from European powerhouses like Real Madrid and Barcelona in Paris. The timing is critical: both clubs` contracts with the EuroLeague, Europe`s premier basketball competition, are set to expire in 2026. This window of opportunity could see them pivot towards a fresh alliance with the NBA.
The vision extends beyond a handful of cities. Noted American journalist Bill Simmons, with his significant social media following, has openly discussed the initiative on his podcast, speculating on potential franchise locations including Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, London, Istanbul, and Berlin. When Milan entered the conversation, his assessment was unequivocal: “AC Milan is substantially in favor. It is owned by RedBird and does not have a linked basketball team. The basketball team in Milan is Olimpia, which has renewed for 10 years with the EuroLeague. Consider AC Milan in, somehow.” This strong stance highlights Milan`s unique position.
Milan`s Hardwood Hopes
Within this grand blueprint, Milan emerges as a particularly intriguing candidate. The idea is for a Milanese team, intrinsically linked to AC Milan, with Cardinale and RedBird serving as pivotal reference figures. While Milan already boasts a proud basketball heritage through Olimpia Milano, the proposal hints at something distinct, a “sibling” team under the RedBird umbrella, leveraging the existing brand power and operational expertise of the football club.
For RedBird, stepping into the American sports arena is hardly uncharted territory. Cardinale`s extensive relationships within top-tier American sports, including his ties to the Yankees ownership, provide a significant advantage. Adding to the intrigue is the indirect involvement of one of basketball`s living legends: LeBron James. At the time of RedBird`s acquisition of AC Milan, James became a passive investor through Main Street Advisors, a Los Angeles-based fund that supported the acquisition. His presence, even as a passive investor, undoubtedly adds a layer of global appeal and strategic depth to the proposition.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Yet, the road to a pan-European NBA league is fraught with complexities. Major projects of this scale require meticulous planning, significant capital, and an intricate navigation of existing sporting ecosystems. The fact that the NBA has enlisted financial giant JP Morgan as an advisor, as reported by the Financial Times, underscores the seriousness and intricate financial engineering required. Commissioner Silver has also met with political figures, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to explore the feasibility of a team in England, with London being a natural front-runner.
Despite the high-level engagement and strategic vision, historical precedent offers a dose of realism. Previous attempts by major American sports leagues, such as the NFL, to establish permanent franchises in Europe have faced significant hurdles and ultimately did not endure. Europe`s basketball scene, rich with its own traditions, passionate fan bases, and established leagues like the EuroLeague, isn`t simply a blank canvas. Any new venture will need to offer a compelling value proposition that respects, yet transcends, the existing landscape.
What began as a speculative whisper now carries the weight of serious consideration, fueled by powerful financial backing and strategic vision. As August unfolds, one certainty remains: the conversation around an NBA Europe, with Milan at its strategic heart, is only just beginning.
Gilbert Pendleton