The NBA has said it is "exploring" the creation of a professional basketball league in Europe, but the plans remain vague and raise many questions.

The first is why is the powerful US league taking this step? How does it intend to make money? And is the EuroLeague, the home of Europe's best clubs, doomed to a marriage of convenience?

For several years now, the NBA has wanted to plant its flag on European soil and go beyond the annual pre-season or regular season game held in Europe for the past four decades.

"Had discussions around potential opportunities in Europe literally for decades... We're ready to go to the next stage and that's to explore a potential league in Europe with FIBA as our partners," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said last month.

The NBA has already quenched its thirst for expansion by creating a women's league, the WNBA, the 'development' G-League in the US and the Basketball Africa League.

Backed by record television rights receipts worth around $76 billion (69.6 billion euros) from 2025 to 2036, it now seems ready to take the plunge in Europe.

The move might have been precipitated by reports that investors advised by LeBron James' former manager Maverick Carter are attempting to create a league consisting of six men's teams........

© International Business Times