Pau Gasol, Saudi-backed firm among key players in Adam Silver’s NBA European venture

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver convened a meeting in London to discuss the potential formation of "NBA Europe," bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders. The gathering included representatives from major European basketball and soccer clubs, global investment funds, potential sponsors, and media partners, indicating serious momentum behind the venture.

Hall of Famer Pau Gasol attended and addressed the assembly, expressing enthusiasm for the project's broad impact on basketball's ecosystem, from grassroots to professional levels. Multiple sources indicate he is under consideration for a prominent leadership role in the new league, though its exact structure remains undefined.

Key European sports clubs signaled strong interest, with representatives from Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Olimpia Milano, Panathinaikos, ASVEL, Bayern Munich, and Alba Berlin in attendance. Soccer giants Manchester City and AC Milan also participated, exploring options to either create new teams or invest in existing ones within the proposed league.

The meeting featured significant financial and corporate interest. Investment entities present included Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Qatar Sports Investments, and firms like Lazard, Rothschild, and Blackstone. Executives from Nike (a potential lead sponsor) and Amazon Prime (a possible media partner) also spoke, alongside NBA and FIBA officials.