NBA plans major BAL restructuring ahead of proposed 2027 relaunch

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) could be set for its most significant transformation yet, with the NBA considering sweeping reforms aimed at reshaping the competition and accelerating the growth of basketball across the continent, Sport360NG reports.

A major turning point is expected in 2027, when the NBA plans to roll out a revamped structure that would convert the BAL into a 12-team franchise-based league. The proposed model is designed to boost competitiveness, attract fresh investment and elevate the league to a new commercial level.

Under the plan, the league would feature 12 permanent franchises, each required to pay an entry fee of approximately $50 million and operate from a world-class arena. According to reports, the steep financial requirement is intended to ensure only well-resourced and professionally run teams gain entry, helping to guarantee consistently high-quality matchups.

Several African cities are being considered as potential franchise locations, including Nairobi, Lagos, Abidjan, Dakar, Cairo, Johannesburg, Rabat or Casablanca, and Kigali, reflecting the NBA’s ambition to establish the league in major basketball and commercial hubs across the continent.

Since its launch in 2020, the BAL has operated a conference-based system, with teams split across the Kalahari, Sahara and Nile conferences. Following the conference phase, the top eight teams advance to the Final Eight, where the season’s champion is decided.

The competition has already generated more than $250 million in revenue since inception, but the NBA believes a franchise-driven model could significantly increase its commercial value. Projections suggest revenues could climb to as much as $5.4 billion by 2034 if the proposed changes are implemented.

Beyond revenue growth, the NBA has reiterated its commitment to talent development in Africa, with the BAL expected to remain a key platform for nurturing young players and providing pathways to the global stage.