Many details are still up in the air, but some things are already clear. For example, the candidates. The major cities are in the spotlight for the North American pro league, and not just those with established basketball teams.

"In some cities, we're starting completely from scratch," said George Aivazoglou, Managing Director of the NBA for Europe, in November.

London, Paris, Rome, Madrid, Istanbul, and of course Berlin and Munich are all possibilities. The NBA is also considering football clubs, such as Inter and AC from Milan. According to Ingo Weiss, President of the German Basketball Federation (DBB), Borussia Dortmund is also in the mix. As always, it's about big money, which means big names and visibility, since marketing opportunities are a key factor in this billion-dollar project.

[h2]Talks as early as January?[/h2]

According to media reports, discussions with potential stakeholders, investors, and media partners are expected to take place this month – another step in building the new league, which is being developed in cooperation with the world governing body FIBA.

World and European champion Franz Wagner, who will play for the Orlando Magic in his hometown of Berlin against the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday (20:00 CET), likes the idea.

"I think it's really possible," said the 24-year-old. For him, NBA Europe would be "a great example of how cultures can work together. How you can combine strengths and create something truly cool."

[h2]EuroLeague pushes back: Little interest in basketball[/h2]

Twelve teams are set to receive permanent licenses, with four additional spots awarded through the Champions League, FIBA's top club competition, and a qualification process. The privately run EuroLeague, currently the number one in Europe, is out as a potential partner and, as things stand, will compete with the NBA.

"The EuroLeague has received three offers from the NBA, and all three have been rejected," Weiss recently told Munchner Merkur/TZ, voicing criticism. What is currently happening in the league is "frankly – absolutely unacceptable."

EuroLeague and FIBA have been at odds for years, and now new tensions are inevitable. An NBA branch is also attractive to EuroLeague clubs, especially financially. It will be interesting to see how the teams decide in the coming months. It's hard to imagine both leagues coexisting and growing side by side in the long term.

[h2]'Tough schedule'[/h2]

Dirk Nowitzki finds the expansion plans ambitious. "We don't even have any locations yet, and it's supposed to start in a year and a half. Honestly, respect – that's a tough schedule," said the German basketball legend, who is now working as an expert for Prime Video this season, in Berlin.

The model "with promotion and relegation" is "very, very important, since that's a big part of our European sports culture."

Wagner sees a huge opportunity. "What the NBA does well is commercialisation and making things even bigger, and getting the ratings to where they should be," said the 24-year-old, "because there's still a lot of room for improvement."

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