Doncic becomes a team owner! Partnering with Nelson to acquire an Italian club, he calls it a dream come true.

On May 30, Beijing time, Luka Doncic is joining forces with former Dallas Mavericks executive Donnie Nelson to introduce professional basketball to Rome. The announcement confirms that the investment partnership headed by Nelson has purchased Vanoli Cremona of the Italian Basketball League, where Nelson will act as the primary investor and managing partner. It was Nelson, then the Mavericks' president of basketball operations, who orchestrated the trade on the night of the 2018 draft to bring Doncic into the organization.

The acquisition group also includes renowned coach Valerio Bianchini and former professional player Rimantas Kaukėnas. After the deal is completed, the club will relocate to Rome and begin playing there starting from the 2026-27 season. The team has also submitted an application to become Rome's representative squad and join the NBA Europe League.

Doncic stated, "I've always dreamed of owning a European team, and now that dream has come true—it's amazing. Vanoli has a glorious history, and we're ready to take the team to new heights in Rome. My partners are outstanding, and I firmly believe we can create a brand-new landscape for Italian and European basketball."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced earlier this year that the NBA is collaborating with FIBA to prepare for the NBA Europe League, which could officially launch as early as the fall of 2027.

The league is planned to consist of 16 teams, with 12 permanent franchises and four rotating teams that qualify through a yearly tournament. Rome is one of the key bidding cities. Other candidate host cities include London and Manchester in the UK; Paris and Lyon in France; Munich and Berlin in Germany; Madrid and Barcelona in Spain; as well as Milan, Athens, and Istanbul.

Before entering the NBA, the Slovenian star played for Real Madrid in Spain.

Nelson also commented, "Rome deserves world-class basketball, and we are honored to bring high-level basketball back to this city. Vanoli Cremona has a proud history, and we will continue that tradition while building an exciting future in Rome. Rome hasn't had a top-tier professional basketball team for a long time, and that is about to change. We will invest money, expertise, and full passion to make this team a source of pride for Rome and all of Italy."