EuroLeague – NBA Europe: ultimatum, counteroffensive and club organization, the great uncertainty of January

At a time when the NBA is officially returning to the Old Continent with games organized in Berlin on Thursday, January 15, 2026 and then in London on Sunday, January 18, the EuroLeague is experiencing one of the most sensitive periods in its recent history. Between an ultimatum sent to several shareholder clubs, assumed legal pressure against NBA Europe and the emergence of initiatives led by clubs without an A license, the European competition is wavering… and trying to regain control.

EuroLeague ultimatum and legal pressure on the NBA

Faced with the acceleration of the NBA Europe project, the EuroLeague has chosen an offensive strategy. A formal notice was sent to four shareholder clubs – Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Fenerbahçe and ASVEL – asking them to quickly take a position on renewing their long-term license, with a deadline set for January 15, 2026.

At the same time, the EuroLeague officially informed the NBA that legal action could be initiated if discussions took place with clubs already contractually committed for ten years, EuroHoops reports. A move that confirms a now assumed power struggle between the two entities.

However, according to the analysis by French sports law specialist Simon Renault, this deadline would be legally fragile. The EuroLeague regulations do not provide for any deadline on January 15 for license renewal, as they legally expire on June 30. A situation that weakens the scope of the ultimatum and illustrates the league’s defensive position.

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Clubs without an A license are organizing in parallel

While the EuroLeague tries to lock down its historic shareholders, clubs without an A license are organizing. According to BasketNews and Mozzart Sport, eight clubs have submitted a request to obtain a contract guaranteeing a ten-year presence in the EuroLeague:

• Red Star Belgrade

• Partizan Belgrade

• Virtus Bologna

• Valencia

• Monaco

• Dubai

• Hapoel Tel Aviv

• Hapoel Jerusalem

These clubs, which do not currently benefit from the same decision-making weight or the same financial distribution as the 13 historic members, would be working on creating an internal association. Objective: to collectively weigh in on strategic decisions and renegotiate their place in the EuroLeague ecosystem, or even buy shares from current shareholders.

Dubai driving the project, Monaco lurking

Heavily criticized since the announcement of its entry into the EuroLeague, Dubai would be behind this collective initiative. By adopting a shared governance approach, the Emirati club would be seeking to legitimize its place at the highest European level.

AS Monaco, the latest EuroLeague finalist, is also among the most concerned clubs. Until now blocked by the insufficient capacity of the Gaston-Médecin arena to obtain an A license, the Principality club would see in this association a credible alternative to secure its continental future.

The French case: ASVEL, Paris and the shadow of NBA Europe

On the French side, the situation is particularly sensitive. ASVEL is one of the clubs required to take a position quickly, and its days in the EuroLeague seem numbered. A departure to the BCL, seen as a gateway to the future NBA Europe, is increasingly being mentioned.

For its part, Paris Basketball is seeking to become a shareholder in the EuroLeague, a status that would distance it from the NBA Europe project. If this option fails, the Paris club could also join the association of clubs without an A license, illustrating the current instability of the European landscape.

Towards an expanded EuroLeague and a rethought model

Finally, the presence of Hapoel Jerusalem among the candidates, while it is playing this season in the EuroCup, fuels the idea of a move to 24 teams. Other clubs such as Besiktas, PAOK Thessaloniki or Naples are also cited as expansion prospects.

Between the EuroLeague’s legal offensive, the collective organization of clubs and the growing pressure from NBA Europe, January could well mark a historic turning point for European basketball. Nothing is set in stone yet, but the power struggle is now total.