Projections on NBA Europe extend to the president of the Italian Basketball Federation, Gianni Petrucci
By Johnny Askounis/ [email protected]
The president of the Italian Basketball Federation, Gianni Petrucci, expressed his excitement about the partnership between FIBA and the NBA, and the project to create a new top-shelf club competition in Europe, in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport.
“It’s a new league that will be good for the system, bringing resources and entertainment. The agreement also notes that registered clubs must participate in their respective domestic leagues,” mentioned the 80-year-old FIP president.
His argument went into Euroleague Basketball, preventing players from the current top-tier league from representing their countries in international windows during the annual winter schedules.
“It is a private organization. And to be honest, it doesn’t even give us players during FIBA windows,” said Petrucci.
“In a $50 billion market, European basketball has a commercial value of just $200 million. An NBA league is precisely the opportunity to increase competitiveness and expand the pool. If Manchester United, the most popular soccer team in the world, has already said yes, there must be a reason,” he added in Sunday’s interview.
Early indications on the NBA Europe plan also include a team based in the Italian capital, alongside other big European cities.
“There is no team from the capital in the Serie A, but Rome will not be left out. There is a very concrete option linked to a wealthy entrepreneur,” confirmed Petrucci, revealing some financial details on a projected new club.
A potential launch for NBA Europe has been scheduled at the top of the 2027-28 season.
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