One of the world’s biggest football clubs is getting ready to lace up on the hardwood. Reports from November 18 say Manchester United is preparing to launch a basketball team as part of the NBA’s new Europe league, planned to tip off in the 2027/28 season. If completed, it would be a landmark move that links the NBA’s global expansion with one of sport’s most powerful badges.

What we know so far

The core plan: the NBA is building an NBA Europe competition with 10 to 12 founding franchises based in major cities across the continent. Italy’s basketball federation president, Gianni Petrucci, says United has “already said yes” to join. That line matters; it suggests talks are not just casual. The league is targeting a 2027/28 launch, giving clubs time to set up teams, staff, venues, and commercial partners.

Local reporting also cites Manchester as one of the confirmed host cities. No player names, coaches, or game schedules exist yet. This is the build phase, not the tip-off.

“If United bring their brand to hoops, the UK game changes overnight.”

Why Manchester United wants in

This is about more than sport. It is about growth. United posted record revenues last year of £665.5 million (about $877 million) despite a poor football season and no European competition. Commercial income surged, helped by the new Snapdragon front-of-shirt deal, pushing commercial revenue to around £333.3 million. The club’s valuation sits near $6.6 billion, second only to Real Madrid among global sports giants.

Under minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United is chasing fresh revenue and new fans. A basketball team under the same badge could open new ticket nights, new sponsors, and new audiences. It also spreads risk beyond football performance. When football results dip, a multi-sport model can help keep the business strong.

“Badge power travels—this is the shortcut to build an instant fan base.”

The NBA’s European playbook

The NBA wants to grow outside the United States, and Europe is the next big step. The numbers tell the story: European basketball is roughly a $200 million market inside a $50 billion global basketball industry. There is room to grow. And the NBA sees partnerships with football giants as fast lanes into homes and feeds.

As NBA Europe executive Aivazoglou put it, working with top football clubs can be “shortcuts to audience expansion.” It makes sense: these clubs bring massive reach, built-in marketing machines, and decades of trust with supporters.

There is also a clear model to follow. Europe already has football clubs with elite basketball programs: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Fenerbahçe, and Olympiacos all field teams that battle at the top level. United would be joining a path many giants already walk.

A return to roots in Manchester

This would not be United’s first dance with hoops. In the 1980s, Manchester United ran a basketball team that won a league title and drew around 1,500 fans to the Stretford Sports Centre. It was smaller in scale, but it shows the city’s appetite for the sport.

Bringing that history forward into a modern NBA-linked league adds a strong local story. It is not just a new venture; it is a return to something Manchester has seen before, now with far bigger backing and reach.

“Don’t just use the badge—build a real pathway for British kids.”

What it could mean for UK basketball

Basketball in the UK has long chased a bigger stage. A Manchester United team inside an NBA-run league could push the sport higher, faster. It would mean more media time, more sponsors, and more kids picking up a ball. It could also mean more big game nights in Manchester and more eyes on British talent.

There are questions, of course. How will the team connect with local academies? What venue will it use? Will it help lift the domestic game? These are the details that will decide if this is just a shiny badge move—or a true boost to the sport here.

The money and the moment

From United’s side, the math is straightforward. A new team brings more inventory: more tickets, more content, more sponsors, more jerseys. For the NBA, partnering with a world-famous club unlocks instant reach in a football-first country. Petrucci’s view sums it up: “If Manchester United, the most popular football team in the world, has already said yes, there must be a reason.” He also called an NBA league “the opportunity to increase competitiveness and expand the pool” of European basketball.

That is the heart of it. The NBA wants more top-level games in Europe, more top-level brands, and more fans. United wants growth in new areas while keeping its global edge. The fit is clear.

What we don’t know yet

• Roster and coach: No names yet.
• Home venue and training base: To be announced.
• Staff structure: Still to be built.
• League format and schedule: Details to come closer to 2027/28.
• How it links with existing European competitions: Not yet public.

What to watch next

Keep an eye on official statements from Manchester United and the NBA as the 2027/28 target nears. Founding franchises will need time to hire leaders, scout talent, and lock in venues. Sponsorship deals will follow, and kit unveilings will draw huge attention. If all goes to plan, Manchester will stand beside other major cities as a launch pad for the new league.

For now, the headline is simple and big: Manchester United is on the brink of returning to basketball—with the NBA at its side. If the club’s “yes” turns into a tip-off, the UK basketball map could change fast, and the NBA’s European dream would have a flagship ready to lead.