Pau Gasol confirms his involvement in the new NBA Europe league
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Spanish former professional basketball player Pau Gasol looks on during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Pau Gasol has officially confirmed his involvement in the new European league project supported by the NBA and FIBA, commonly called NBA Europe. The former Spanish center is actively working with the governing bodies to shape the future of basketball on the continent.
A role yet to be defined but a clear mission
« At this time, there is no defined role. I am simply working with the NBA, with FIBA, and I am discussing with teams to see what the evolution of basketball growth in Europe should be, » Gasol told Spanish media Mundo Deportivo. « From there, we will see what role I end up playing, whether at the league level or with a team. So I think there is a significant opportunity to take a step forward and help our sport of basketball grow in Europe. »
The Barcelona native maintains close ties with FC Barcelona, even though the club recently chose to recommit to EuroLeague, while not closing the door to the NBA either. « My connection with Barça is natural and obvious, » he explains. « Beyond any specific role, the priority is for the club to grasp the fundamental concept and for us to collaborate with the NBA on a strategic approach. »
Gasol played an instrumental role in the early stages of the project, particularly at the January summit in London that brought together teams and potential sponsors. His vision for the future of European basketball is ambitious: « Our ultimate goal is to transform European basketball into a sustainable model, with real growth potential rather than a loss-making sport. »
A complete transformation of the European model
The two-time NBA champion emphasizes the need to completely rethink the approach to European basketball. « We have a unique opportunity to build new relationships and a different model that offers a much greater margin of impact than what we have seen so far, » he notes. « We need to change our approach, define our strategy and establish a stable foundation from the start. »
« We should build this from the ground up, » Gasol continues. « Basketball is a sport of global importance, and I believe we have the space to improve it as an experience and spectacle, going beyond the simple magic of the game itself. That is exactly what we came here to accomplish. »
The NBA and FIBA are targeting October 2027 for the official launch of this new NBA Europe league, which could revolutionize the continental basketball landscape.
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