Man City tipped to enter team in new landmark European competition alongside PSG

Manchester City's owners are reportedly being targeted to set up a new basketball team that would form part of an NBA Europe tournament that could begin as early as 2026

NBA commissioner Adam Silver is set to present a proposal to team owners on Thursday around creating a new European league that is expected to have at least one British franchise, with Manchester City's owners showing an interest in getting involved.

But the realisation of the NBA Europe project is likely to rest on the participation of Real Madrid and Barcelona - both of whom already have successful basketball teams - with both weighing up whether to sign new contract agreements for the existing EuroLeague competition.

An NBA breakaway would come up against EuroLeague, which operates an annual tournament similar to football’s Champions League. NBA insiders have suggested that the competition could be up and running for the 2026-27 season.

An NBA spokesman confirmed that Silver would pitch his idea to the existing 30 US owners, saying: “At this week’s NBA Board of Governors meeting, the league will report on its exploration of a new men’s basketball league in Europe, in partnership with FIBA (the European governing body).”

Paris Saint-Germain, who previously had a basketball team and whose kits are manufactured by the Jordan brand, have already confirmed that they have been approached about entering a team. A spokesman for owners Qatar Sports Investments said: “QSI has been approached with regards to a basketball franchise in Paris in relation to which we have expressed an interest.”

Silver is also keen on having a British franchise and while London is a preferred host city, Manchester City ’s Abu Dhabi owners may be keen on establishing a team having been contacted by NBA representatives. The recently opened Co-Op Live arena, owned by Abu Dhabi and with a capacity of 23,500, would be a ready made arena.

At present NBA rules stipulate that state sovereign wealth funds can only have a maximum 20% stake in its teams and it is unclear whether such a rule would be waived for the European competition.

Arsenal owners Kroenke Sports Entertainment already own the 2023 NBA champions Denver Nuggets, while Crystal Palace part-owner Josh Harris has a managing stake in the Philadelphia 76ers.

London hosted competitive NBA games at the 02 Arena between 2011 and 2019 before switching to Paris.