Luka Dončić has joined forces with former Mavericks executive Donnie Nelson to revive Italian basketball in Rome. Nelson, who oversaw the 2018 trade that brought Dončić to Dallas, leads a group that purchased Vanoli Cremona. The club will relocate and start play in Rome during the 2026‑27 season for the next generation of Italian fans.

The move positions Rome as a flagship city for the nascent NBA Europe league, slated for a fall‑2027 launch. Silver’s plan calls for up to 16 teams, with Rome among the 12 permanent slots. Dončić said he sees the venture as a chance to elevate European basketball standards for future talents and fans across the.

Nelson, Bianchini and former player Rimantas Kaukėnas will guide the rebranded club, which will honor Vanoli’s legacy while infusing modern resources. “Rome deserves world‑class basketball,” Nelson declared, noting the city’s long absence from top‑flight play. The group’s investment signals a growing appetite for high‑profile European franchises in the next season and beyond for fans and teams.

With the club set to compete in Italy’s Lega Basket Serie A, Dončić’s stake aligns him with a strategic vision that blends NBA exposure and European heritage. The relocation may spark renewed fan interest in Rome, potentially reshaping the city’s sporting identity. The move confirms the NBA’s intent to embed itself deeper within European basketball.