The NBA’s entry into Europe remains the big topic in European basketball. FC Bayern Munich is also considered a possible candidate, but honorary president Uli Hoeneß put the brakes on a little at an event.
“First, we have to be able to compete internationally,” said Hoeneß when asked about the new NBA project at the SPORT MARKE MEDIEN Congress in Munich. The honorary president once again pointed out the financial disadvantages of the different tax systems in Europe, which would primarily benefit teams from Greece and Turkey.
Recently, there had been repeated rumors that the NBA would like to have Bayern in its new league, but the Munich club remained tight-lipped. The NBA wants to launch a new league in Europe in 2027, which will presumably compete with the EuroLeague. Talks between the two leagues have so far failed to reach a consensus.
Hoeneß avoids NBA Europe commitment
Outgoing managing director Marko Pesic had always been committed to the EuroLeague, most recently at the beginning of the year. For Hoeneß, financial aspects are also at stake, as he has emphasized several times. He said they did not want to follow the example of Real Madrid, which loses €20 million annually with its basketball division. “The goal is to at least not lose money with basketball,” said the honorary president. FC Bayern has succeeded in this: “Last season was the first in which the basketball team was in the black,” Hoeneß reported proudly, attributing this primarily to the opening of the new SAP Gardens.
At the same time, the 73-year-old warned that the basketball players were at their limit and emphasized that, despite all the visions, national competition should not be neglected. “It’s like in soccer. The Bundesliga must never be abandoned by the club,” Hoeneß clarified.