NBA, Stars Plan Rival Global Basketball Leagues

LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and Nikola Jokic's agent Miško Ražnatović have met in France to discuss launching a $5 billion international basketball league, with plans for six men’s and six women’s teams touring eight global cities and offering players equity stakes, a departure from current NBA rules. Investors reportedly include the Singapore government and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and participation may require players to leave the NBA, echoing LIV Golf’s approach in pro golf. Meanwhile, the NBA has announced regular-season games in Berlin and London for 2026, and in Paris and Manchester through 2028, as part of its ongoing efforts to expand internationally. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has also raised the possibility of an NBA-branded European league, potentially in competition with the EuroLeague. EuroLeague officials have expressed concern that these developments could fragment the basketball market unless collaboration is achieved. Both the proposed new league and the NBA's expansion reflect rising global investment and interest in European basketball.