NBA superstar Luka Dončić is collaborating with former Dallas Mavericks executive Donnie Nelson to establish a new era of professional basketball in Rome. Nelson, who notably served as president of basketball operations for the Mavericks during Dončić's 2018 draft-night acquisition, is leading an ownership group as its primary investor and managing partner. This group announced on Friday the acquisition of Vanoli Cremona, a professional basketball club currently competing in Italy's Lega Basket Serie A.

As part of this significant transaction, the ownership group revealed plans to relocate the club to Rome. The team is slated to commence play in the Italian capital at the start of the 2026-27 season. Furthermore, the group has submitted a formal bid for the relocated team to serve as Rome's official representative for the prospective NBA Europe league. The ownership consortium also includes distinguished figures such as longtime coach Valerio Bianchini and former player Rimantas Kaukėnas, alongside Dončić himself.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the venture, Luka Dončić stated, "I have dreamed about owning a team in Europe for a long time, to finally have this happen is amazing." He added, "Vanoli has a great history, and we are ready to take it to the next level in Rome. We have an amazing group of partners, and I really believe we can do something special for basketball in Italy and Europe."

This initiative aligns with broader developments in European basketball, as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver earlier this year announced that the NBA, in partnership with FIBA, is actively developing an NBA Europe league. This new league could potentially launch as early as the fall of 2027. Rome is considered a prime target host city for this anticipated league, which is expected to feature up to 16 teams, comprising 12 permanent locations and four qualifying clubs that could rotate each season.

Beyond Rome, other major European cities targeted as potential host locations for NBA Europe include London and Manchester in England; Paris and Lyon in France; Munich and Berlin in Germany; Madrid and Barcelona in Spain, as well as Milan, Athens, and Istanbul. Dončić's deep roots in European basketball, having played professionally in Spain for Real Madrid before his NBA career, further underscore the significance of this move.

Donnie Nelson reiterated the group's commitment to the city, stating, "Rome deserves world-class basketball, and we are excited to be bringing it back." He affirmed, "Vanoli Cremona has a proud history, and we are committed to honoring that legacy as we build toward an exciting future in Rome. This city has been without top-flight basketball for too long. That changes now. We are bringing the resources, the expertise, and the passion to make this club a source of pride for Rome and for all Italy."