NBA Europe: Format revealed as uncertainty shrouds EuroLeague collaboration talks

The NBA wants its European basketball competition to replicate the dynamic between football s Champions League and Europa League. Much of the rest of the detail surrounding a property slated for launch next year remains under wraps. A cloud may have fallen over talks between the NBA and EuroLeague but there is at least some welcome clarity on what a new European franchise competition operated by the US basketball behemoth will actually look like. The vision for NBA Europe is a two-tier format based on football’s Champions League and Europa League model, the NBA’s managing director for Europe and the Middle East, George Aivazoglou, explained this week. The 16-team top tier of a competition still slated for launch in 12 months’ time will be largely composed of new franchises in cities including London and Manchester alongside major clubs from the current European scene. Four spaces will be open to qualification via a standalone tournament and performance in the second tier,