Danilo Gallinari Backed Proposed NBA Europe League
The retired basketball star aims to leverage NBA business expertise to reform European leagues by 2027.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Basketball
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Retired professional basketball player Danilo Gallinari has publicly expressed his support for a new top-tier European league project. He plans to pursue an executive role in the venture, which is currently backed by the NBA and FIBA.
Why it matters
Gallinari argues that a formal agreement between the NBA and Euroleague Basketball is essential to resolve ongoing business model imbalances in Europe. He believes that applying NBA-style operational expertise is the path toward stabilizing the region's professional game.
The proposed NBA Europe project is targeting a launch for the 2027-28 season to address systemic revenue imbalances. The initiative currently remains under development with backing from both the NBA and FIBA.
The players
Danilo Gallinari
He is a retired professional basketball player who is now seeking to transition into an executive role focused on the development of the NBA Europe league.
NBA
The National Basketball Association is the premier professional basketball league in the world and is currently providing backing for the new European project.
FIBA
The International Basketball Federation is the global governing body for basketball and is a partner in the proposed European league project.
Euroleague Basketball
This is the current top-tier professional basketball club competition in Europe, which Gallinari believes requires a formal partnership with the NBA to succeed.
The details
Gallinari stated in a recent interview that he intends to use his experience with the NBA to help refine how European basketball handles its financial operations. The project seeks to create a new, high-level professional environment that integrates professional standards across the continent.
Timeline
Danilo Gallinari discussed his plans in an interview with Sky Sport on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
The NBA Europe league is projected to launch in the 2027-28 season.
Season Trajectory
The proposed project follows a pattern of international expansion established by the NBA's previous investment in the Basketball Africa League. This move signals a long-term strategic shift to consolidate professional standards and revenue growth across global markets.
The 2027-28 launch target suggests a multi-year period of organizational growth and negotiations between stakeholders. Readers should monitor upcoming structural announcements from the NBA and FIBA regarding how this project may alter the professional basketball landscape.
The takeaway
Gallinari is positioning himself to bridge the gap between American and European professional basketball business models. The success of this initiative will ultimately depend on whether the NBA and Euroleague can successfully unify their differing operational approaches by 2027.
Further reading
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Source note: This article includes information reported by Eurohoops.
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Should European professional basketball adopt the NBA's commercial business model to increase revenue?
