Brian Windhorst on NBA Europe: Why He’s Skeptical
Windhorst’s impressions from the EuroLeague
Brian Windhorst recently attended the Crvena zvezda vs. Partizan game and came away impressed by the atmosphere. He highlighted how European arenas feel different from NBA venues — the crowd is rooted in decades of local loyalty and tradition. Fans often go because their family supported the club for generations, not because of flashy halftime shows or entertainment-driven production.
He pointed out small but telling differences: replays and the scoreboard aren’t always the focal point, there’s less in-game spectacle, and the overall vibe is more about passion for a club than a packaged entertainment experience.
Why an NBA-style league might not fit Europe
Windhorst said he admires the NBA’s product-building skills, but he’s doubtful that the same model will translate smoothly to Europe. A big part of the NBA’s success comes from monetizing nationwide interest through premium media packages and a league-wide brand. In many European markets, fans are more attached to their local clubs and may not be willing to pay extra for a centralized, entertainment-first competition.
He also expressed a preference for collaboration with the existing EuroLeague structure rather than a clash. Right now, talks and speculation are ongoing but there’s been no official announcement. If an NBA-style European league does emerge, it would undoubtedly shake up the continent’s basketball scene — but whether it would win over traditional fans and fit the current ecosystem is still an open question.
