Dirk Nowitzki Cuts Ties With Luka Doncic's NBA Europe Plans

Dirk Nowitzki has cut ties with Luka Doncic's plans to launch a franchise in Rome as part of the NBA Europe league.

The news was confirmed by Nowitzki's spokesman, Scott Tomlin, who indicated that the initial report of his involvement was incorrect.

Doncic is part of an investor group aimed at launching a franchise in Rome, with Donnie Nelson having a preliminary agreement to purchase an existing basketball team.

Nowitzki has long shied away from basketball operations, preferring a more direct role in the sport, which led him to take Amazon Prime's offer to talk about basketball weekly.

He has made no secret of his dislike for the trade that sent Doncic to the Lakers, but still flew to Los Angeles to cheer on his former teammate.

Doncic's involvement in the NBA Europe league could give a huge boost to Adam Silver's plans, with the commissioner hosting a grand conference for potential investors in London.

The Lakers star is still navigating an injury, but his investment in the European league is a significant step in his business portfolio.

And despite Nowitzki's decision not to join, the German big man remains a key figure in Doncic's career, having taken his mentorship very seriously since the Slovenian teen arrived in 2018.

But Nowitzki's focus is elsewhere, with the 2011 champ firmly shutting down rumors of his involvement in the NBA Europe league.

As of February 11, 2026, Nowitzki's spokesman confirmed that he would not be joining Doncic's investment group, marking a notable divergence in their business paths.

The absence of Nowitzki serves as a footnote to Doncic's plans, which are still moving forward with Nelson's preliminary agreement to purchase Vanoli Basket Cremona.

So the future of the NBA Europe league remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Dirk Nowitzki will not be a part of it.