Suns owner Ishbia backs NBA Europe project

Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia spoke about the project known as NBA Europe on the Hoop Collective podcast, hosted by ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst. In the episode, released on Wednesday, the 46-year-old businessman said he supports the project.

According to Ishbia, the new league is not a rival to the NBA. The real goal is to build the world's second-best league. Noting that Europe has many good leagues, Ishbia said: "We should bring them together and build something truly big. You put the NBA stamp on it."

The businessman argued that decision-makers should focus on long-term growth rather than immediate returns. He said the plan to make basketball, 20 years from now, the most dominant and global game, as it is today, should be questioned.

Euroleague clubs recently rejected the NBA's first offer. The Euroleague leadership, for its part, says it is open to partnerships in the future. The project is moving toward a launch in the 2027/28 season with 16 teams.

Under the plan, the league will have 12 permanent clubs. The remaining four spots will go to the Basketball Champions League finalists and to the winners of a qualifying tournament tied to national leagues, played at the end of the season.