Luka Doncic and former Dallas Mavericks executive Donnie Nelson are part of an investment group that purchased Vanoli Cremona of Italy's Lega Basket Serie A on Friday.

Nelson, who was the president of basketball operations when the Mavs drafted Doncic in 2018, is the lead investor and managing partner of the group.

The team, set to relocate to Rome for the 2026-27 season, will submit a bid to represent the city in NBA Europe.

"Rome deserves world-class basketball, and we are excited to be bringing it back," Nelson said in a statement. "Vanoli Cremona has a proud history, and we are committed to honoring that legacy as we build toward an exciting future in Rome. This city has been without top-flight basketball for too long. That changes now. We are bringing the resources, the expertise, and the passion to make this club a source of pride for Rome and for all"¯Italy."

The NBA Europe league could begin as soon as the fall of 2027.