Manchester United are reportedly planning to launch a basketball team, according to Italian Basketball Federation president Gianni Petrucci. He claims the Red Devils have agreed to join NBA Europe, a new league aimed at capitalizing on basketball’s growing popularity outside the United States.
The initiative would see major European cities, including Manchester, host 10 or 12 founding franchises. “This is a new league that will be beneficial to the system, bringing resources and entertainment,” Petrucci said in an interview with Italian media outlet Corriere dello Sport. “The agreement also specifies that registered clubs must participate in their respective national leagues.”
“In a $50bn (£37.9bn) market, the commercial value of European basketball is just $200m (£152m). The NBA League is a real opportunity to increase our competitiveness and expand our reach.”
“If Manchester United, the most popular football team in the world, has already said yes, there must be a reason.”
The expected start date for NBA Europe is the beginning of the 2027/28 season. The news comes as co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe seeks additional sources of income to strengthen the club’s finances.
Despite reporting record revenues last year, the club remains in the red.
If plans go ahead, it would not be the first time the club owns a basketball team. In the 1980s, United’s basketball team won league championships and drew crowds of around 1,500 to Stretford Sports Center.
They played against teams such as Barcelona and Real Madrid. However, this franchise was short-lived.
The team was purchased by a group of local businessmen in 1988 and renamed the Manchester Eagles, later merging with the Olympic City Giants to become the Manchester Giants.
The current team, known as Manchester Basketball, was founded in 2024 after the disbandment of the Manchester Giants of the English Basketball League.
