Lakers’ star Luka Dončić is said to be interested in purchasing a team in Italy as part of his strategy for NBA expansion in Europe.

Luka Doncic’s Ambitious Dream: NBA Team Ownership in Rome

Luka Doncic has always had lofty ambitions. As a young boy in Slovenia, he left home to achieve greatness at Real Madrid. Then, joining the Dallas Mavericks at just 19, he quickly established himself as an NBA sensation. Now, as a global icon traded to the Los Angeles Lakers last winter, he has set his sights on an even bigger goal: owning a professional basketball team.

According to a report by the New York Times, Doncic is now part of an investment group led by former Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson. They are reportedly working to establish a franchise in Rome as part of the NBA’s exciting new initiative, NBA Europe.

Yes, you read that right. Rome.

The historic city, known for its rich cultural heritage and love for sports, could soon house its own professional basketball team. Nelson, who is 63, is the son of the legendary NBA coach Don Nelson. He was instrumental in the 2018 draft night trade that brought Doncic to Dallas. The New York Times notes that Nelson’s investment group has made a preliminary agreement to buy Vanoli Basket Cremona, an Italian club that holds a valuable Serie A license.

This license is crucial. Teams in the upcoming NBA Europa League will have to compete domestically as well, giving Cremona’s position in Italy’s premier league a solid base.

From here, things start to get interesting.

The plan is to launch a new franchise about 530 miles south of Rome, a location that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has identified as essential for the league’s growth. The league is expected to kick off in 2027. Presently, Rome lacks a top-tier basketball team, but it boasts a thriving sports economy that appreciates both spectacle and legacy.

The Big Picture

Silver’s NBA Europe venture is serious business. Reports suggest that buying a team in a market like London could cost over $1 billion, showing the level of investment involved. The group features some notable investors, including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and firms like Redbird Capital and Blackstone. JP Morgan and the Lane Group are also involved in structuring these high-stakes deals.

Doncic, who grew up in Ljubljana and honed his skills in Madrid, is very much in touch with the European basketball scene. He represents what Silver hopes to achieve on a global scale. His investment goes beyond just a franchise; it’s about enhancing infrastructure and paving the way for the next generation of European talent.

In the world of basketball, Doncic is not alone. Tony Parker, a former Spurs star, is also involved with ASVEL, a club near Lyon, and is expected to participate in NBA Europe. Likewise, Pau Gasol, another Lakers legend, has shown interest in a significant role within the new league.

However, it’s important to note that the specific ownership rules for current NBA players remain undetermined. There are conflicts of interest to navigate, and Serie A has its own guidelines that would require a waiting period before a relocated franchise can rebrand. Yet, these obstacles are likely manageable for Nelson and Doncic.

If this anticipated Rome franchise comes to fruition, it would symbolize a shift in the European basketball landscape—it would no longer merely serve as a feeder system.