The global sports landscape is perpetually in motion, driven by ambition and capital. A significant tremor is now emanating from Milan, a city synonymous with footballing giants. The news? None other than Gerry Cardinale, the astute founder of RedBird Capital Partners and owner of AC Milan, is engaged in high-level discussions with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver regarding the potential establishment of an NBA-affiliated basketball league in Europe. This isn`t merely a rumor; it`s a strategic overture that could redefine professional basketball beyond North America, with Milan potentially serving as a cornerstone.
The Visionary Behind the Initiative
Gerry Cardinale is not a newcomer to the intricacies of sports economics. His firm, RedBird Capital, has a reputation for astute investments across various sectors, including sports. Cardinale’s interest in a European basketball venture aligns perfectly with his previously articulated philosophy: a multi-club ownership model across diverse sports. As he stated at a 2022 “Invest in Sports” conference, the strategic benefits and synergies derived from such an approach can foster significant growth. The vision is clear: create a robust ecosystem where multiple franchises, perhaps under one overarching ownership, can mutually reinforce each other, both financially and structurally.
This approach moves beyond simple ownership; it’s about creating integrated sports entertainment platforms. Imagine the cross-promotional opportunities, the shared resources, and the consolidated fan engagement. For Milan, the prospect of its venerable football club having a “basketball sibling” under the same RedBird umbrella offers intriguing possibilities for brand extension and market penetration.
NBA`s Grand European Play
The NBA`s interest in a European league is not nascent, but it appears to be gaining serious momentum. Commissioner Adam Silver and his executives are reportedly in advanced stages of exploring this ambitious expansion. The project`s gravity is underscored by the involvement of financial powerhouse JP Morgan as an advisor, a detail first reported by the Financial Times. This isn`t a whimsical idea; it`s a meticulously planned strategic maneuver by one of the world`s most successful sports leagues.
A key element of this European strategy involves courting established basketball powerhouses. Reports from The Athletic indicate that Silver has met with representatives from Real Madrid in Paris, highlighting the critical role that prominent European clubs could play. Both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona hold contracts with the EuroLeague set to expire in 2026, offering a timely window for them to explore new affiliations. The proposed league envisions franchises in several major European cities, including:
- Madrid
- Barcelona
- Paris
- London
- Istanbul
- Berlin
- And, crucially, Milan
Bill Simmons, the influential American sports journalist, has weighed in on the initiative, emphasizing Milan`s favorable position. He noted that AC Milan, being under RedBird`s ownership, currently lacks a directly affiliated basketball team, making it a receptive partner for this new venture, despite Olimpia Milan`s existing long-term EuroLeague commitment. This suggests a strategic entry point for RedBird, potentially leveraging the AC Milan brand without direct competition with an existing affiliated basketball club.
Milan`s Unique Position: A Nexus of Stars and Capital
The choice of Milan as a potential hub for an NBA-affiliated team is far from arbitrary. Cardinale`s deep connections within top-tier American sports, including relationships with entities like the Yankees, provide a robust foundation. Furthermore, his association with basketball legend LeBron James adds an intriguing dimension. James, through his investment in Main Street Advisors, became a passive investor in AC Milan during RedBird’s acquisition of the club. This pre-existing nexus of influential figures and capital creates a fertile ground for developing a high-profile basketball franchise in Milan.
The idea is straightforward: establish a Milanese team intrinsically linked to AC Milan, with Cardinale and RedBird at its helm. This approach is designed to harness the immense brand power of AC Milan, translating football loyalty into basketball enthusiasm. It’s a calculated risk, certainly, but one that leverages existing infrastructure and fan bases, potentially offering a quicker path to market adoption than building a franchise from scratch.
While the road to a full-fledged NBA Europe league remains long and complex, the foundational discussions are serious and ongoing. High-profile meetings, such as Commissioner Silver`s recent discussion with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding a London franchise, underscore the league`s global ambitions. For Milan, the possibility of hosting an NBA-affiliated team represents more than just a new sporting attraction; it signifies the city`s growing prominence on the international sports stage, merging European tradition with American entertainment prowess. As August begins, one certainty prevails: this story, weaving together sports, business, and global ambition, is far from over. Expect further developments as the NBA continues its strategic “full-court press” into the European market.
