It had been hoped the NBA may expand into Europe before the end of the decade, but a lack of top quality basketball facilities has left Stern with little option but to delay any move into the continent.
Said Stern: “With respect to international expansion, it's becoming clear to us that the infrastructure, meaning buildings, world-class arenas, are simply not there outside the US yet.
“The fans in Europe have not been the beneficiaries of a building boom.
“We need more than two venues, in my opinion, to have a successful European expansion.”
Stern has never made a secret of his desire to see the league make the move across the Atlantic – but has always insisted it should only take place when the timing was perfect.
The NBA has long held talks with leading European club competition the Euroleague, and it was felt any expansion by the NBA would be done in close co-operation with Euroleague chiefs.
Plans for the NBA to come to Europe have been put on ice by the league’s commissioner David Stern – at least for the time being.
