LAS VEGAS — The NBA hired former Lithuanian star and Chicago Bulls vice president Artūras Karnišovas as its consultant for building NBA Europe, according to sources with direct knowledge of the hiring who were granted anonymity to discuss a personnel matter that had not been formally announced. Karnišovas, 55, will advise NBA commissioner Adam Silver and his deputies on governance and game rules for NBA Europe, how to identify and recruit talent, how to create pathways for players into the new league and potentially from the new league to the NBA, and how to expand the continent’s already strong youth player development model, those sources said. He will be a liaison between the NBA and the new European competition, NBA Europe and NBA teams, and FIBA, the international governing body for basketball that is partnering with Silver to stand up his new league. Advertisement The NBA Board of Governors will review the second round of bids from potential NBA Europe owners on Tuesday and consider next steps. Those sources who disclosed the Karnišovas hiring said the NBA and FIBA are making tremendous progress and are in the final stages ahead of their planned October 2027 launch, and there could be further action by the NBA Board of Governors during its annual summer meetings in Las Vegas this week. Those sources, who have direct knowledge of the bidding process for NBA Europe, and were granted anonymity to share information that is protected under non-disclosure agreements between the NBA and prospective European owners, said the league has received “many” bids within and exceeding the $500 million to $1 billion range and in each of its 12 target cities, including from more than 20 existing basketball and football clubs, many of which are current EuroLeague teams. Every one of the NBA’s shortlisted clubs and investor groups has extended a bid, and there are also bids for teams outside of the NBA’s original target cities. Those targets are London, Paris, Rome, Milan, Lyon, Madrid, Barcelona, Athens, Manchester, Istanbul, Berlin and Munich. At the same time, the NBA is continuing discussions with the EuroLeague on a possible merger, while EuroLeague clubs being recruited by the NBA have renewed their license agreements. Those agreements, The Athletic’s sources said, include out clauses of roughly 10 million euros. Among the soccer powerhouses that also have a EuroLeague basketball team and have re-upped their license with EuroLeague is Real Madrid, a club also considering joining NBA Europe. No team will be able to obtain an NBA Europe license without paying the league’s entry fee. In addition to the 12 permanent members, NBA Europe is expected to initially add four teams each season that qualify by performance in their domestic leagues and FIBA tournaments. European sources said the EuroLeague’s new model mirrors an NBA Europe concept of converting shareholder clubs into permanent franchises and selling permanent franchise spots, but on the cheap. The value of the reported total investment to become a EuroLeague shareholder is 1.2 billion euros, whereas NBA Europe has received multiple $1 billion bids for a team in London alone. Karnišovas won two Olympic bronze medals for Lithuania and starred on the European pro circuit in the 1990s. He was an assistant general manager for the Denver Nuggets, where he played a role in scouting Nikola Jokić, and took over the Bulls’ front office in 2020. He was criticized for failing to deliver results, but his experience in European basketball and governance could prove invaluable for NBA Europe’s development. Last result: Dallas Mavericks 149-128 Chicago Bulls (2026-04-13). Recent form (last 5): 1W-0D-4L (LLLLW, most recent first); lost the last 4. The Chicago Bulls, under the guidance of Artūras Karnišovas, aim to leverage his expertise to enhance the league's competitive edge and global appeal. As the NBA Europe project moves forward, the Bulls' front office will likely focus on strategic partnerships and talent development to ensure the league's success. With Karnišovas' extensive experience, the Bulls hope to establish NBA Europe as a formidable competitor in international basketball. The league's expansion plans, including the addition of new teams and the potential for player pathways from NBA Europe to the NBA, underscore the ambitious vision for the league's future. The Chicago Bulls' commitment to this initiative reflects a broader trend in basketball, where former players transition into influential roles within the sport's global ecosystem. As NBA Europe continues to grow, the Bulls' involvement will undoubtedly contribute to shaping the league's trajectory and fostering a vibrant basketball community across Europe.