Key Highlights
- The NBA is expanding its presence in Europe with a regular season double-header featuring the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies.
- This marks the start of a new era for basketball in Europe, with plans to develop a pan-European professional league involving both NBA teams and European clubs.
- The games will be held at Uber Arena in Berlin on Thursday, October 26, 2023, and The O2 in London on Sunday, October 29, 2023.
- Four-time NBA All-Star Mo Wagner is set to make his return from injury for the first time since December 2024, playing in front of home fans in Berlin.
The NBA’s Expansion into Europe
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is taking a significant step forward in its global expansion with the arrival of the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies in Berlin and London. This marks a new chapter for basketball on the continent, as the NBA and FIBA announced plans to develop a professional men’s league in Europe earlier this year.
According to Stuart Hodge, @Hodgeythehack, this is more than just another NBA game in Europe; it represents a pivotal moment in the globalization of the sport. “This is not your typical NBA visit,” he explains. “It’s about laying the groundwork for what could be a transformational era for basketball on the continent.”
A New Pan-European League
On December 15, 2023, the NBA and FIBA jointly announced their plans to create a new professional league in Europe. The league will feature four permanent teams with at least four rotational spots, aiming to integrate European clubs more closely with the NBA.
NBA senior vice president and head of international strategy, Leah MacNab, shared her vision: “We are planning to launch a 16-team league with 10 permanent teams and at least four rotational spots. The goal is to create a competitive environment that will foster talent development across the continent.”
Impact on European Basketball
The arrival of NBA teams in Europe holds significant implications for the sport. “This is game-changing,” says MacNab. “We envision a future where European clubs can play on an NBA court, and that’s now within reach.” The NBA and FIBA plan to provide financial support and resources to develop domestic leagues, club team academies, and existing programs aimed at nurturing players, coaches, and referees.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized the importance of this move: “Our conversations with various stakeholders in Europe have reinforced our belief that an enormous opportunity exists around the creation of a new league on the continent. This is about building a sustainable future for basketball.”
The Return of Mo Wagner
For the Orlando Magic, the visit to Berlin and London also brings a personal story. Four-time NBA All-Star Mo Wagner, who has been out since December 2024 due to an ACL injury, is set to make his return for the first time in nearly a year. “It’s going to be a true full-circle moment,” says Wagner. “Growing up and going as little kids to that gym to watch the pros play – playing an NBA game there now feels pretty special.”
Wagner’s return is expected to create excitement among German fans, who will welcome him at The O2 in London on Sunday, October 29, 2023. His younger brother, Franz Wagner, and Tristan da Silva, all of whom played for the German national team, are also set to join the action.
The games will be held at Uber Arena (Berlin) on Thursday, October 26, 2023, and The O2 (London) on Sunday, October 29, 2023.
These dates represent a significant step towards realizing the vision of a pan-European basketball league that could one day feature teams like Real Madrid or Barcelona playing alongside NBA franchises.
The NBA’s expansion into Europe is not just about bringing games to new markets; it’s about building a shared future for basketball on both sides of the Atlantic. As the first games in Berlin and London take place, fans across the continent are eagerly anticipating what this new era could bring.
