By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net

As the plans of the NBA for Europe are expected to be more clear in a month, when the NBA governors will vote on the proposed plan of the league, more details about key markets that are of interest both for the NBA and the EuroLeague are emerging.

Paris is one of the key cities on the NBA plans as reported by Eurohoops in December, however things in the French capital is more complicated that expected.

The Atheltic has already reported on the issue with Paris Basketball having the contractual right to be the only basketball team to use Accor Arena and Adidas Arena, the two biggest basketball venues of the city, while the NBA approached Paris Saint Germain and proposed them to create their own basketball section.

However, there are more issues to be solved on a city which can end up being a key “battleground” between the two leagues.

The “cautious” PSG

NBA did meet with PSG management during the recent NBA Paris Games, but no concrete commitments were made from either side. Per Eurohoops sources, while PSG didn’t dismiss the idea of creating a basketball section, the NBA was not able to present them at the time a solid proposal about what NBA Europe would be.

That made PSG very cautious to say the least and this doesn’t have to do only with the NBA business plan.

Per the same sources, PSG contacted FIBA for clarification in the NBA plan and also FIBA wasn’t able to provide them, while there’s another issue connected to football – soccer if you are a US reader – that complicates things even further.

PSG has been one of the main advocates of the current status quo in European football and wanted to know what’s the current situation between the NBA and Real Madrid, which is the driving force behind the plan of the European Superleague, a private football league which so far remains just a plan.

Paris Basketball seeking long term stability in the EuroLeague

On paper, Paris Basketball is a project that would fit the NBA environment, having an American owner and GM. However, it seems that NBA is aiming for bigger fishes in the pond and Paris Basketball took note on that.

The French club always wanted stability, initially asking for a three-year license from the EuroLeague last summer. EuroLeague couldn’t change their own bylaws, Paris got their one-year license as EuroCup winners, but now, per Eurohoops sources, they are lobbying again for a long-term contract with the competition.

While nothing is set in stone in every level, it’s obvious that Paris also keep their option open and currently they seem to be closer to the EuroLeague than to a potential European league created by the NBA.