Tony Parker Makes Push for NBA to Expand into Europe: "Just a Matter of Time"

Speculation has picked up steam in recent years about the NBA expanding overseas and creating its own separate league in Europe. Tony Parker only added fuel to the fire this week, telling everyone to get ready.

It’s just a matter of time,” he said. “They are coming, and it’s going to happen.”

Parker, a French-American basketball player who collected four world titles with the San Antonio Spurs, has been a strong advocate of creating an NBA Europe League. Parker’s vision is to see FIBA, the EuroLeague, and the NBA come together to create one global league that ties in with the NBA. 

The current blueprint laid out is to have somewhere between 14 and 16 teams, with some European football clubs launching their own teams, while others will be built from scratch. Parker has also indicated that his current team, ASVEL, would be a candidate. The hope is that the league will be successful and one day have as many teams in the NBA.

Some fans and NBA owners are concerned that a global league could dilute the current league. The NBA has become a global phenomenon in recent years, with some of its biggest stars coming from across the pond, such as Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama. If some of the biggest names choose to play in an NBA Europe League instead of the NBA over in America, it could water down the product. It could be like what is happening in golf with some of its biggest stars having moved over to the LIV Tour.

But initially, a new NBA Europe would likely be used as a developmental league instead of a rival to the one in America. The NBA and its owners would also see a massive boom in revenue, with some of the expansion fees going into their pockets.

The NBA is expected to continue playing more games in Europe. In February 2026, the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies will have a two-game series in Berlin and London.