Luka Dončić, backed by the legendary Dirk Nowitzki, is leading an investor group to bring an NBA team to Rome, with ambitions for NBA Europe. Sources reveal that the group, headed by Donnie Nelson, former general manager of the Dallas Mavericks, aims to purchase Vanoli Basket Cremona, a basketball team from northern Italy. This move could potentially establish a new franchise in Rome, approximately 330 miles away, as part of NBA commissioner Adam Silver's European expansion plans.
Dončić, a 26-year-old star, is part of the investor group, according to sources in American and European basketball. The Milan-based sports publication La Gazzetta Dello Sport confirms that Dirk Nowitzki is also involved. Rimas Kaukenas, a Lithuanian basketball legend who played in Italy for years, is another key member of the group.
The group's plans are still in the preliminary stages, but the potential impact on the NBA and European basketball is significant. Rome, a massive and untapped market, is one of the cities identified by Silver for NBA Europe's launch in September 2027. The buy-in for licenses is expected to be substantial, with Silver seeking over $1 billion for a team in London. This suggests that Nelson and Dončić have access to deep-pocketed partners.
The NBA's conference for potential participants in NBA Europe, held in London, attracted representatives from prominent investment firms and banks, indicating a strong interest in the league's expansion. Dončić, a product of the European basketball pipeline, played in Real Madrid's academy as a teenager before joining the Mavericks in 2018. Nowitzki, a 47-year-old German legend, also played professionally in his country before being drafted into the NBA in 1998.
Among the known participants, Kevin Durant, an NBA star, has invested in Paris Saint-Germain, a soccer giant, through Arctos. Tony Parker, a former NBA star, owns ASVEL Basket, a team near Lyon, expected to join NBA Europe. Pau Gasol, another former star, is considering a leadership role in the new league.
However, there are complexities regarding ownership stakes. Current NBA players are not restricted, but NBA owners cannot hold more than 5% of an NBA team in the U.S. or Canada. This rule aims to prevent conflicts of interest and double-dipping scenarios. The NBA Europe league will have 12 licensed teams and four annual qualification spots for European pro teams, with one spot reserved for the FIBA Champions League champion.
