NBA touts 'significant interest' from investors in European league

In coordination with FIBA, the NBA on Tuesday touted "significant interest from a range of prospective teams and investors" for a new league to operate in Europe.

"The level of engagement and the scale of the bids reflect the marketplace's belief in our proposed model and the enormous, untapped potential for European basketball," NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said in a statement. "We will now review the bids in more detail and shortlist the partners who share our vision and commitment to accelerating the growth of the game across the continent."

This comes days after Tatum presented an update on the NBA's vision at the board of governors meeting. No votes were taken on the matter in New York, but owners continue to express "overwhelming support" for the plan, sources told Yahoo Sports.

As NBA commissioner Adam Silver outlined in a press conference last week, the NBA is working with investment banks JPMorgan and Raine, "soliciting interest" from "over a hundred organizations" to field teams in "12 separate markets" across Europe.

"There has been enormous enthusiasm," said Silver.

London, Paris and Rome are expected to be among the 12 markets. Spain, Germany, Greece and Turkey have also been mentioned in league circles as potential locations.

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Prospective teams would come from some collection of: 1) existing basketball teams, 2) existing soccer organizations interested in establishing a basketball program, or 3) entirely new ownership groups. Multiple EuroLeague teams are among more than a dozen existing basketball organizations that have submitted their bids, sources said.

The NBA has received multiple bids for prospective franchises in a range between $500 million and $1 billion, including several offers north of $1 billion, sources said.

The NBA is tentatively targeting a start date of October 2027 for the new league.

Silver has also been encouraged by "ongoing discussions" with the EuroLeague's new CEO, as of January, Chus Bueno, who spent 12 years in the NBA's front office.

"I think for the betterment of European basketball, the best outcome would be if we came together with the EuroLeague on a systematic approach to growing the game throughout Europe," he said. "That means complementing country leagues, working together with the EuroLeague and working together with our federation, FIBA."

The EuroLeague was organized by FIBA in 1958 and run by the federation until 2000.

The NBA's most recent announcement of "significant interest" in a European-based league comes at the same time as it considersexpanding itself to 32 teams. The NBA is seeking offers in a $7-10 billion range for franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle.

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April 01, 2026

NBA touts 'significant interest' from investors in European league

In coordination with FIBA, the NBA on Tuesday touted "significant interest from a range of prospective teams and inv...

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Tom Izzo 'looked' at Phoenix Suns head coaching job last offseason

Tom Izzohas become synonymous withmen's college basketballandMichigan Stateover the course of his three decades in East Lansing and the Big Ten.

So, would he ever leavethe Spartansfor sayan NBAjob?

In an appearance on "The Dan Patrick Show" on Wednesday, April 1, the Hall of Fame coach said he had discussed taking an NBA job last year to coachthe Phoenix Suns,who are owned by his former Michigan State walk-on, Mat Ishbia. No, this is not an April Fool's joke.

"I've had more than a couple of job offers in the NBA, and looked at one last year with Phoenix. You know my former player, Mat Ishbia, and that was hard," Izzo said. "That was a hard thing to turn down because No. 1, I kind of wanted to go with him ..."

REQUIRED READING:Is Tom Izzo retiring? Michigan State coach has 'some things to accomplish'

Interrupted by Dan Patrick mid-thought and asked whether the Suns offered him the job, Izzo said, "We talked seriously" about the position.

"... And then No. 2, I have been pretty vocal about it, I don't like what's going on in college athletics," Izzo continued with his original thought. "But by the way, neither do 99.98% of the football and basketball coaches in America. And I think the kids are going to still find out before it is done that it isn't best for them either."

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The Suns haven't been the only NBA team to express interest in Izzo, who ranks 20th in career wins among Division I men's college basketball coaches (764) and has eight Final Fours and a national championship on his resume. As alluded to in the clip, the Cleveland Cavaliers, owned by another Michigan State alum, Dan Gilbert, expressed interest in Izzo in the past.That interest from the Cavaliers came in 2010.

As noted by the Detroit Free Press,part of the USA TODAY Network, The Athletic reported in February that Ishbia had asked Izzo if he was interested in leaving Michigan State for a job in the NBA, but the understanding was that Izzo didn't take it all that seriously.

Izzo just led theSpartanstotheir 17th career Sweet 16 appearancein his three-decade tenure, where they fell to No. 2 UConn 67-63 despite a valiant second-half comeback. He's led Michigan State to 28 consecutive trips to the Men's NCAA Tournament, which is theNCAA Division I record for most consecutive March Madness appearances.

Whether it be entertaining another NBA job or continuing to coach at Michigan State, the 71-year-old isn't retiring anytime soon, either.He addressed that topicafter the Spartans' loss, which extended the program's Final Four drought to seven years.

"... It's sure as hell not going to be now," Izzo said on Friday, March 27. "I've got some things to accomplish."

He added: "I said a couple years ago that I'll find a way to get back there. We've knocked on the door twice. We haven't gotten back. We'll get back."

Iowa State Cyclones fans cheer against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 22, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Nebraska's Berke Buyuktuncel celebrates with fans following a second-round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament between Nebraska Cornhuskers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on March 21, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Arkansas Razorbacks cheerleaders in the second half against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Ore.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A Texas Christian University Horned Frogs cheerleader practices before the game during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

Iowa State Cyclones fans cheer against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournamentat Enterprise Center on March 22, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Tom Izzo to NBA? Michigan State coach 'looked' at Suns job last year

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April 01, 2026

Tom Izzo 'looked' at Phoenix Suns head coaching job last offseason

Tom Izzohas become synonymous withmen's college basketballandMichigan Stateover the course of his three decades in Ea...

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Former College Football Player Jack Pugh Dead at 24 After Quitting the Sport for His Mental Health

Former Wisconsin football tight end Jack Pugh has died

NEED TO KNOW

• The school confirmed Pugh's death in a post on social media

• Pugh, 24, retired due to mental health reasons in 2023

Former Wisconsin football player Jack Pugh has died, the school confirmed. He was 24.Pugh played tight end for the Badgers from 2021-2023 before retiring due to mental health reasons,theMilwaukee Journal Sentinelreported.No cause of death has been released at this time.Wisconsin football shared a tribute to the former player on X late Tuesday, March 31."The Wisconsin athletics family is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Pugh,"the school said. "Jack was a positive light and brought a genuine spirit to our football program. More than that, he cared about people and was loved by his teammates and staff. Jack proudly earned his degree from UW-Madison in 2025 and will forever be remembered and loved."The Columbus, Ohio native was a four-star recruit for the Badgers despite only playing football for his final two years in high school.

Pugh was highly recruited by Michigan, Penn State, Michigan State, Maryland and Minnesota, according to theJournal Sentinel.In 2023, Pugh announced his retirement on Instagram.

"My physical health was not near perfect, but my mental health was the reason I decided to hang it up," he posted at the time. "Over years of prolonged depression and substance abuse, I decided I deserved a better life and to finally find happiness."

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He continued, "In no way was football the root of these problems, but everything in my life had distracted me for so long to the point I didn't want to be alive for years. I never had prioritized my mental health all along, digging a deeper darker hole."

Pugh went on to thank his coaches, teammates and others for their support."I'll never forget the memories. Love y'all," he wrote.Pugh's former teammate, New York Jets running back Braelon Allen, shared the news of his death on social media on Monday night, and added a message to his followers."Protect your mental,"he wrote on X.

Read the original article onPeople

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April 01, 2026

Former College Football Player Jack Pugh Dead at 24 After Quitting the Sport for His Mental Health

Former Wisconsin football tight end Jack Pugh has died NEED TO KNOW The school confirmed Pugh's death in a...

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Howie Mandel Says He 'Didn't Mean to Embarrass Anybody' After Apologizing to Kelly Ripa for On-Air Moment

Howie Mandel is sharing more about his viral exchange with Kelly Ripa on Live with Kelly and Mark

NEED TO KNOW

• During a March 31 appearance on Hot Mics with Billy Bush, Mandel said he "didn't mean to embarrass anybody" after Ripa and Mark Consuelos commented on his appearance

• "I hope it ends soon because I didn't mean to cause any disruption," he said of attention on the interaction

Howie Mandel"didn't mean to embarrass anybody" after apologizing toKelly Ripaover their awkward on-airexchange.

The comedian, 70, appeared on a Tuesday, March 31 segment ofHot Mics with Billy Bush, in which he reflected on the aftermath of his recent viralLive with Kelly and Markmoment and apology video.

During the March 23 episode of Ripa andMark Consuelos' daytime talk show, Mandel had an awkward exchange with the hosts, who complimented Mandel's appearance and told him he looked "great" after discussing his age. Mandel argued that the compliment didn't "mean anything" as it came with a "caveat." Days later, he posted a video apologizing to Ripa and explaining that the comment was "meant as a joke."

Now, Mandel said he has regrets about sharing the Instagram post, adding that he "didn't mean to cause any disruption."

"Obviously I told a joke that didn't land well," Mandel said, as he appeared onHot Micswearing a new hairstyle and T-shirt of himself as a child.

He added, "Comedians always say, 'If you can make one person laugh, you're doing the job.' But apparently that's not enough... I'm reading and there's no stopping it and I don't understand. I tried to stop it. I tried to apologize. I agreed with people. I do."

Mandel then said he didn't "know" who got offended by the on-air moment, despite "reading the articles" online. "If somebody is offended, if somebody feels that I did wrong, then I apologize. I don't believe in apologizing but I said, as I said in that post — which, I kind of regret making the post," he said, before Bush asked him why.

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"Because I don't think you should apologize for a joke," Mandel said. "And I do agree. People are saying it wherever I go now, I do think I look good. I don't even think the caveat is for 70. I just think I look good."

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As Mandel put it, up until "a couple weeks ago," he didn't "really focus" on his appearance. "I feel bad," he said. "I don't know what's going on and I don't know when this will end. And I hope it ends soon because I didn't mean to cause any disruption. I didn't mean to embarrass anybody."

After Bush questioned the famously bald comedian about the "hair on your head" at the end of their discussion, Mandel jokingly sat in silence before storming out of the podcast studio and slamming the door on his way out.

In his apology video, uploaded on Saturday, March 28, the star said he doesn't think a comedian "needs to apologize for a joke" and that it's "hard" for him to do so publicly.

After apologizing to Ripa, Mandel called her "absolutely right." A few comedian friends sounded off about the ordeal in the comment section,as didLive with Kelly and Markexecutive producerMichael Gelman, who commented that Mandel indeed looks great "for your age."

Read the original article onPeople

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April 01, 2026

Howie Mandel Says He 'Didn't Mean to Embarrass Anybody' After Apologizing to Kelly Ripa for On-Air Moment

Howie Mandel is sharing more about his viral exchange with Kelly Ripa on  Live with Kelly and Mark NEED TO KNOW...

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