In-depth analysis of European basketball.

This EBAG study provides an independent assessment of the EuroLeague governance model, rooted in its breakaway from the traditional federation system and the creation of a fundamentally different, club-led governance structure. It examines whether the original promise of greater control, alignment and professionalization has truly been delivered.

Using established governance frameworks and recent case examples, the report identifies persistent structural tensions, including the complex role of clubs as both shareholders and competitors, reliance on coordination in a fragmented environment and the gap between formal governance rights and their effective execution.

European basketball is entering a decisive crossroads. As global capital looks for the next major sports growth market, the NBA has intensified its focus on Europe with plans for a new league in cooperation with FIBA.

This EBAG study provides a comprehensive and independent analysis of this emerging reality. It examines the shift from community-driven club models to ROI-driven ownership logic, the financial constraints of the current European ecosystem and the strategic ambitions positioned behind the NBA Europe project.

At its core, the report asks whether European basketball can embrace new investment opportunities without losing the social mission that defines its identity.

European basketball is facing a defining moment. From the NIL-driven exodus of young prospects to the NCAA, to the absence of fair NBA transfer compensation and the potential launch of an NBA-backed European league, the pressures on the grassroots system have never been greater.

This EBAG study provides an independent, data-driven assessment of the current state of youth development in Europe. It maps cost structures and funding sources of talent-producing clubs, analyzes NBA and NCAA rules, examines the influence of agents and evaluates FIBA’s role as the sport’s global regulator.

The report aims to protect the economic sustainability of clubs and the long-term competitiveness of European basketball.

On March 27, 2025, the NBA and FIBA held a joint press conference publicly confirming the NBA’s intention to establish a new basketball league in Europe in cooperation with FIBA.

The announcement formalized ambitions that had been circulating for decades. The report assesses the potential project through the lens of European basketball stakeholders, focusing on whether future developments can serve the best interests of European basketball as a whole.

EuroLeague was established in 2001 with the goal of managing the top-tier European club competition in a more effective and economically feasible way, with a strong focus on the interests of leading clubs in European basketball.

While the competition is widely recognized for its sporting quality, its business model and financial sustainability have attracted criticism from different fronts.

This study provides an in-depth analysis of club profitability, player salaries, expansion plans and financial stability rules using principles and concepts of sports economics.