Billionaire businessman and part-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, Todd Boehly, has predicted a bold new frontier for the NBA: Europe. Speaking at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit in London, Boehly declared that the National Basketball Association is primed for global expansion, a move he believes will transform the landscape of professional sports.
“I think what you’re going to see is more and more professional sports, like the NBA, come to Europe,” said Boehly, whose sports empire includes stakes in Chelsea FC, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Lakers.
Boehly, 51, who boasts an estimated net worth of $8.5 billion, believes that the NBA’s next significant evolution involves going far beyond its American roots. His remarks come at a time when the league has shown increasing interest in international markets.
The NBA’s last expansion occurred in 2004 with the addition of the Charlotte Bobcats. Since then, speculation has consistently linked cities like Seattle and Las Vegas with potential franchises. However, Boehly suggested that a move across the Atlantic could be on the cards.
Earlier this year, the NBA hosted regular-season games in Paris, showcasing young phenom Victor Wembanyama before his injury. There are talks about future games in Manchester, but Boehly hinted that the league may set its sights higher.
“I think the NBA is going to be an exciting thing to watch over the next 20 years,” Boehly said, suggesting that expansion to Europe could radically alter the dynamics of sports representation and athlete management.
Boehly, who is deeply involved in both American and European sports, compared the valuation of significant sports properties to that of tech companies.
“Would you rather own the NFL at 200 (billion) or would you rather own Netflix at 400 (billion)? I would think that my bet would be, I’d rather own the NFL,” he said.
He added that leagues like the NFL and NBA are positioned to dominate globally as the streaming era drives international fandom. The NFL plans to host games in Brazil, Ireland, Australia, and the UK in the upcoming seasons.
While the idea of hosting NBA games—or even creating European-based franchises—may be groundbreaking, it also risks dividing fans. Critics may see such moves as a departure from tradition, while supporters will likely welcome the NBA’s efforts to grow its global audience.
Nevertheless, cities like Vancouver, Kansas City, Mexico City, Montreal, and Nashville remain viable North American candidates for expansion. But according to Boehly, the most significant step may be across the ocean.
Boehly also addressed the evolving nature of American college sports, particularly football. He emphasized how Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals have transformed college athletes into professionals.
“The players are now professional athletes, right? Michigan, I believe, compensated their quarterback with 10 million dollars to play at Michigan,” Boehly said.
He added that this shift is leading to the rapid development of sports infrastructure in the U.S., as younger athletes are being groomed for elite performance from a young age, starting in high school.
“In America, now high school is really the new college, and college is professional,” he said.
The globalization of basketball, according to Boehly, is closely tied to a restructuring of the agent and player representation market. As the league expands its international reach, particularly in Europe, player negotiations, sponsorships, and media rights may all require reassessment.
“You’re going to see kind of the evolution of that agent market, as the NBA becomes global,” he said.
Boehly has long advocated for a more interconnected sports world, where teams, leagues, and fans transcend borders. With ownership stakes in multiple sports and continents, he is uniquely positioned to understand and influence these transitions.
As the NBA tests international markets with high-profile games in Europe and considers future expansion cities, Boehly’s vision presents a glimpse into what could be a revolutionary period for professional basketball.
“I think it’s going to be a fascinating thing to observe,” he said.
While it’s unclear whether the Lakers or any other NBA team will soon be playing meaningful games in Europe, one thing is sure. Under the guidance of forward-thinking owners like Boehly, the NBA is preparing for a future where its borders are no longer limited to North America.
