EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno said the NBA has not formally proposed a merger or partnership deal, even as talks continue between the two sides about combining forces in Europe. NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday discussions remain ongoing, though no formal offer has been submitted, according to Bueno.

"As of today, we have not received anything from the NBA about what a potential partnership or collaboration could look like," said Bueno in an email to The Athletic. "If an offer or a concrete proposal comes from the NBA, we would evaluate it carefully and, as appropriate, present it to our owners."

Silver has indicated the NBA would want to operate any basketball league it joins, a stance that has complicated past negotiations under EuroLeague's previous leadership. Both sides have expressed openness to collaboration without committing to specific terms.

The NBA still plans to launch its first European season next fall, working alongside FIBA on a 16-team league featuring 12 permanent members. The league intends to place franchises in major cities including London, Paris and Berlin, with ownership groups from AC Milan, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain expressing interest.

"Depending on where we stand with the EuroLeague, I do think it's important that we introduce competition into the market next summer," said Silver. "For us, in terms of NBA Europe, we truly see it as a once-in-forever opportunity."

EuroLeague is also pursuing its own expansion plans independent of NBA talks, transitioning from a license-holder model to permanent franchises and targeting 24 total teams. Napoli has already been approved as an expansion club. Bueno said the league has received binding expansion offers totaling roughly $918.2 million, with bids set to be presented to owners on Oct. 6.

"For now, our franchise and expansion plan is moving forward in parallel with the dialogue we are having with the NBA," said Bueno. "We are not yet at a stage where we need to determine how our plans could interact with a potential collaboration."