Latest news with #EuroLeague
New York Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- New York Times
NBA star Kevin Durant invests in PSG, to consult on ‘potential' basketball expansion plans
Two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant has expanded his relationship with Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), investing directly into UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain as part of a strategic partnership that will also see Durant consult on the club's 'potential plans' to expand into basketball. Advertisement In March, QSI revealed it had been approached about the possibility of launching a basketball franchise in Paris and that it had expressed an interest. The approach related to the NBA's potential expansion into Europe, under the moniker NBA Europe, and plans that have been developed under the leadership of commissioner Adam Silver. The Athletic reported in March that Silver would pitch the NBA Board of Governors with the outline of a plan to launch a new pro basketball league in Europe within the next couple of years. The prospective league had been hoping to attract 16 teams, which would include franchises in markets such as London and Paris, as well as possible defectors from the EuroLeague. Since then, there have been indications from NBA and EuroLeague executives that there may be a way to collaborate. EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas conceded to The Athletic that 'it is becoming more obvious that we have to work together', while NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said the NBA intends to be the 'operator' of 'the top tier league in Europe.' Sources familiar with the planning, who wished to remain anonymous to protect relationships, confirmed PSG's ambitions in basketball relate to NBA Europe and indicated that it would be for the NBA and EuroLeague to thrash out what happens in Paris, where there is already a Paris team playing in EuroLeague. QSI, along with other major sports investors, are waiting for the NBA to launch its process for franchises in Europe. It remains to be seen whether NBA Europe will be a competitor or if some form of partnership with EuroLeague may develop. Durant's direct investment in PSG is a slightly convoluted affair. The 36-year-old had previously invested a single-digit million shareholding in the team, according to sources briefed on the matter but not authorized to speak publicly. This was made via his investment firm Boardroom, but this injection came via a financial vehicle created by the private equity firm Arctos Sports Partners. Arctos itself had purchased a 12.5 percent stake in the French team in December 2023, a deal which at the time valued PSG at around €4.25billion ($4.58bn; £3.64bn, currency figures based on the rates when the deal was announced). This latest deal, however, sees Durant exit the stake acquired via Arctos, with his exit taken up via other money from the fund, which means Arctos has not diluted and its stake remains at around 12.5 percent. Advertisement Durant has now taken a direct minority stake in PSG through Boardroom in tandem with his business partner and former long-time agent Rich Kleiman. The size of his investment is roughly the same as previously, but PSG is not disclosing the precise sum. In these partnerships, the access to the famous athlete and their connections, clout and expertise is, in any case, more valuable to the Qatari fund, which is not short of money. Durant, whose fourth Olympic gold medal came last year in Paris, said in a release: 'It is an honour to partner with QSI and be a shareholder in Paris Saint-Germain — a club and a city that is so close to my heart. This club has big plans ahead and I can't wait to be a part of the next phase of growth; and to explore new investment opportunities with QSI.' The stake, however, is just one aspect of the deal as PSG and Boardroom have also signed a strategic investment partnership. This means Boardroom and QSI will team up on commercial, investment and media content initiatives, as well as advising on PSG's growth in the U.S., while the parties will also develop merchandise together. Most crucially, perhaps, Durant will consult 'on Paris Saint-Germain's multi-sport strategy, including potential plans in basketball,' the release said, opening the door to Durant leading the way on NBA Europe's launch plans. Nasser Al-Khelaifi, chairman of Qatar Sports Investments, added: 'QSI is pleased to welcome Kevin Durant as a direct shareholder in Paris Saint-Germain and strategic partner of our group. We continually seek to elevate the club and our broader portfolio through high-impact partnerships that bring strategic value, innovation, and global perspective. Together with Kevin, we look forward to developing ambitious initiatives that will drive the continued global growth of Paris Saint-Germain and QSI.' Advertisement PSG's multi-sport empire already includes men's and women's soccer, youth soccer, handball and judo. Basketball will add to the set. PSG recently announced it is looking at fresh sites to build a new stadium away from their current home at Parc des Princes. The team is studying sites in Massy and Poissy and is examining a modern construct that will feature state-of-the-art sports and entertainment options. The club wants its stadium to be part of a multi-functional area and a destination. The team's CEO, Victoriano Melero, told Reuters last week that PSG may take inspiration from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Ca., which is a $5billion home to the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, while it has hosted headline concerts for superstars such as Taylor Swift. It will also host eight matches during the World Cup in 2026 and events in the Olympic Games in 2028, but PSG have noted how the area has become a sports, entertainment and residential hub in Hollywood Park. The LA Clippers play at the Intuit Dome, a newly opened NBA arena a mile from the stadium. Analysis by senior NBA writer Joe Vardon Paris has always been a coveted market and center to any designs Silver has of starting a new league in Europe. This is no secret, nor is it a secret that the NBA's intended partner there is PSG because of the enormous financial and marketing power of the soccer conglomerate. PSG and its Qatari owners don't need Durant's money, nor, really, even his media company. But they are likely going to build a new arena — Durant could consult. As the league comes online, they'll need a practice facility and coaches, where perhaps Durant could weigh in. Imagine if Durant… played for PSG basketball. At age 36, Durant, who wants to continue playing, can sign a two-year extension this summer (presumably after he's traded by the Phoenix Suns). Silver has suggested it could take a few years to bring NBA Europe online. What if the league launched with Durant as its signature player? Don't rule it out — I have had prominent NBA coaches tell me they'd love to live and coach in Paris once their contracts run out. Advertisement Otherwise, Durant as a name partner with PSG could, conceivably, help in a likely competition for fans with the current Parisian pro team, Paris Basketball, which competes in the EuroLeague and top French pro league, has a new arena, and also holds near exclusivity for games at Paris' largest arena, Bercy.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Boston Celtics big man battling injury in France finals
While Daniel Theis ended up on a contending AS Monaco team that's in the French finals, he won't be able to contribute going forward. The former Celtics big man is out for the rest of the series due to a knee injury, per multiple reports. AS Monaco is down 1-0 in the best-of-five series to Paris Basketball in the top French league. So as AS Monaco looks to bounce back from a 94-82 loss, it'll have to do so without Theis, who had been a big part of the team. He's averaged 11.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in EuroLeague play since being signed back in February. Advertisement Theis started the season on the Pelicans, where he played in 38 games (nine starts), averaging 4.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. But the Pelicans elected to move him to the Thunder to avoid the luxury tax. Theis was then waived from Oklahoma City, making him a free agent. While Theis could've explored the NBA market after getting waived, he elected to sign overseas with the French squad. AS Monaco earned the No. 3 seed in the French playoffs before making it to the finals. While Theis could try to make an NBA comeback, for now, he's put a pause on that part of his career. Theis played for the Celtics in two different stints that also included an appearance in the 2022 NBA Finals. He also suited up for the Bulls, Rockets, Pacers and Clippers during his time in the NBA. While he saw his playing time slowly start to diminish stateside, he got an opportunity for a larger role overseas with AS Monaco. More Celtics content Read the original article on MassLive.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
As NBA plans for new pro league in Europe progress, EuroLeague re-enters the conversation
The NBA continues to move apace with its plans to potentially launch a new European basketball league. More than two months after commissioner Adam Silver announced that the NBA is looking into the idea, deputy commissioner Mark Tatum told The Athletic that the NBA continues to have discussions with potential stakeholders in the league. It has spoken with several investment banks, aside from The Raine Group, which has been working with the NBA since last year, about coming on as financial advisors before the NBA goes to market and begins to sell equity stakes in its new European league franchises. Advertisement The most significant conversations might have been the ones the NBA had several weeks ago with EuroLeague officials and representatives of all 13 permanent EuroLeague teams at FIBA's Geneva office. The NBA is working with FIBA on its plans. The two leagues have had a frosty relationship over the last year after the EuroLeague turned down the NBA's offer to partner with EuroLeague to run a European basketball league. But the relationship seems to have thawed in recent months. Former San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker, the owner of ASVEL, a French basketball club in the EuroLeague, has served as an intermediary between the two sides, and they have become more open to talks about their collective future. 'It was really the first time that all three parties, including the clubs, had sat down together to talk about what the future of European basketball should look like,' Tatum said. 'So I'd say there was a really productive, good conversations there. Out of that came several conversations directly with clubs, but I think everyone is of that mindset that there's a bigger opportunity for us to grow the game of basketball in Europe, and now it's just about figuring out what the right model is to do that.' EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas also said that there may be a future together for the two sides in Europe. 'It is becoming more obvious that we have to work together,' he told The Athletic. 'I believe it is the first meeting of many where we should find ways to grow basketball. FIBA's wishes are clear and simple and easy to get to. So it is up to both leagues to find ways to grow European basketball. Our history and fan base and teams would be a strong backbone to build on.' Tatum said that the European basketball league could launch in two to three years. There already seems to be some movement ahead of that. Advertisement Alba Berlin, one of the top teams in Germany, announced that it would leave the EuroLeague, where it played under a wild-card entry, to join FIBA's Basketball Champions League. That move has been viewed as laying the groundwork to eventually join the NBA's future league. Tatum said it was a sign that Alba Berlin bought 'into this vision of a revamped top-tier league in Europe that is going to service fans, the millions of basketball fans in Europe that currently aren't serviced today.' It could also portend a future where the EuroLeague or some of its teams are involved in the NBA's European league when it finally launches. 'Our vision is that we are going to be operating the top-tier league in Europe,' Tatum said. 'Clearly, the EuroLeague, I think, has done a pretty nice job of growing the game, but there are millions of fans that argue the service in that model, and like I said, they're one of the stakeholders there. So to the extent that they're interested and engaged with us on how to create the best model, yes, we're wanting to continue to have those conversations.' (Photo of Adam Silver and Secretary General of FIBA Andreas Zagklis during a March press conference: David Dow / NBAE via Getty Images)
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Guerschon Yabusele credits Boston Celtics tenure for NBA comeback
Guerschon Yabusele not only had a successful NBA comeback, but now, he should be an interesting free agent this summer. Yabusele bet on himself last year coming off the Paris Olympics, taking a minimum contract with the 76ers. Due to buyout rules, Yabusele wasn't necessarily making as much monetarily in his NBA comeback attempt. Now, Yabusele is again a free agent this summer after an impressive season in Philadelphia. But instead of wondering which NBA team will sign him, he should be in line for a payday after showing what he can contribute stateside. Advertisement Speaking with HoopsHype, Yabusele broke down the free agency process and how he expects to stay in the NBA. Plus, the former Celtics first-round pick explained why he partially credits his Boston tenure for his NBA comeback. 'Even though I was not with Boston anymore, I learned so much from that season,' Yabusele said. 'And it helped me for the second part of my career after that. It really pushed me. It really, like, I had that mentality of loving that basketball. Because I know I love basketball. But if you're in a situation that you don't play, it's hard. I missed it. And I was like, you know what? I want to play now. I want to be somewhere where I always play, so I always try to pick the right situation now for me.' Yabusele was picked 16th overall in the 2016 draft by the Celtics before spending two seasons in Boston from 2017-19. After he was waived by the organization, Yabusele ended up in China to continue his pro career. He said it didn't go well, forcing him to spend roughly 1.5 months without a team. Yabusele revealed that was a wake-up call as he hoped and wished for his next opportunity. 'Going through that process and just waiting like that, I was like, no, this is — it's impossible," Yabusele said. 'This is not what I want. A couple years ago, I was drafted first-round, pick 16. How am I in this situation? I put myself into the situation to really tell me the truth about what was not right, what would I do wrong and stuff like that. I questioned myself a lot, then I went and started working out. I was like, get that mindset that, okay, I'm gonna prove everybody wrong.' Advertisement Yabusele then got his next chance with ASVEL in his native France. He played five games with them before getting re-signed. That break allowed him to sign with Real Madrid, which is where he spent three seasons, including winning a EuroLeague title. After Yabusele starred for France on their way to the silver medal at the Paris Olympics, the attention was back on him. Yabusele is looking for his next team once again. But this time, he should have a lot more confidence he'll land with a new squad. The Sixers have been vocal about wanting to bring him back to the organization. Other teams could also come calling. Yabusele averaged 11.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 70 games last season. He also shot 38.0% on his 3-pointers as the 6-foot-8 forward fits well into the NBA game. 'I really, really want to stay in the NBA, now that I have a real reason over there I want to do some more,' Yabusele said. 'Watching the playoffs, you watch those guys having fun, you always look, I want to be there. My competitor side is really pushing me to work hard this summer, try to get everything that I can to come back next season and crush it even more.' More Celtics content Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Luka Doncic on why it's easier to score in the NBA than in Europe
Over the last several years, the NBA has become a fast-paced, high-scoring league. As opposed to the 1990s and 2000s, when many, if not most, teams averaged under 100 points a game, the average team these days clocks in at over 110 points a game. Teams look to run and get early offense a lot more than they did some 20 years ago, and although the league has gradually allowed a little more physicality over the last couple of years, the game is still less physical than it was in the 1990s. Advertisement There is a difference between today's NBA and the type of pro basketball played in Europe, where the game is more physical and has slightly different rules. Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic started playing professionally overseas at a young age, and early in his NBA career, he said it is easier to score in the NBA than it is in Europe. During a recent episode of the "Mind the Game" podcast, he elaborated on that comment. 'But I think in Europe, watching the Euro League now and before, it's more about the team and teamwork,' Doncic said. 'But it's different rules in the NBA, I've always said that. The reason I said it's easier to score in the NBA is because it's just different rules. You have a lot more spacing, you have more minutes. It's eight more minutes, anything can happen in eight minutes. So it's just because of that. In Europe if you get a big guy, for example like Edy Tavares, he plays in Madrid. He's just standing in the paint and he can stand in the paint and he's [7'3″], it's hard to score on that. It's impossible. Here, you can't do that because it's a three-second violation.' In Europe, defensive players are allowed to stand in the paint as long as they wish, unlike in the NBA, where rules state they can be in the paint for a maximum of three seconds. That makes it a lot easier for players to protect the rim defensively. Some have called for the NBA to get rid of its defensive three-second rule. However, eliminating such a rule would not only make it much easier to defend, possibly to the point of greatly lowering scores across the league, but it would go against decades of not allowing players to camp out in the lane. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Luka Doncic on why it's easier to score in the NBA than in Europe
