The NBA and world governing body FIBA have announced they will advance with plans for a new European league in January.
Prospective teams and ownership groups will be engaged with in the new year, with permanent spots complemented by every European team in a FIBA-affiliated domestic league being offered a route to qualification.
The Basketball Champions League or end-of-season tournament will offer that pathway to the new competition, which is set to align its schedule with domestic league and national team schedules.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said: "Our conversations with various stakeholders in Europe have reinforced our belief that an enormous opportunity exists around the creation of a new league on the continent.
"Together with FIBA, we look forward to engaging prospective clubs and ownership groups that share our vision for the game's potential in Europe."
The NBA and FIBA said they "will provide additional updates in the coming months".
FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis added: "The format of the league respects European sport model principles by offering any ambitious club in the continent a fair pathway to the top. The project is conceived in a way that will improve the sustainability of the entire European basketball ecosystem, including players, clubs, leagues and national federations, by generating a knock-on effect that will strongly benefit basketball fans throughout Europe."
