ROME — Luka Doncic and Donnie Nelson’s investor group has acquired Italian basketball team Vanoli Cremona and plans to relocate the franchise to Rome for the 2026-27 season. The group has submitted a bid for the team to become Rome’s representative in the NBA’s planned European league.

Vanoli Cremona, currently based in northern Italy, will begin playing in Rome starting in the 2026-27 season. The move follows the absence of a Serie A team in the Italian capital since Virtus Roma ceased operations in 2020 due to financial difficulties.

Doncic began his professional career with Real Madrid at age 16 and led the club to a EuroLeague title in 2018. He said, “Since I came to the N.B.A., my dream was always to own a team in Europe, especially because Europe gave me so much.” He added, “I grew up there, grew up playing basketball there.” Doncic also stated, “I have dreamed about owning a team in Europe for a long time, to finally have this happen is amazing.”

Doncic further said, “Vanoli has a great history, and we are ready to take it to the next level in Rome. We have an amazing group of partners, and I really believe we can do something special for basketball in Italy and Europe.”

Donnie Nelson, the lead investor and managing partner of the group, previously served as general manager of the Dallas Mavericks when they acquired Doncic in the 2018 NBA draft. Nelson said, “Rome deserves world-class basketball, and we are excited to be bringing it back.” He also said, “Vanoli Cremona has a proud history, and we are committed to honoring that legacy as we build toward an exciting future in Rome. This city has been without top-flight basketball for too long. That changes now. We are bringing the resources, the expertise, and the passion to make this club a source of pride for Rome and for all Italy.”

The investor group includes Valerio Bianchini, a celebrated coach in the Italian league, and Rimantas Kaukėnas, a 17-year professional across European leagues. The NBA’s proposed European league could launch as early as October 2027 with up to 16 teams in major cities across England, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece, and Turkey, according to league planning documents.

No independent assessment of Luka Doncic’s claims was available.