Battersea Power Station has definitively ruled out suggestions that London's potential NBA Europe team could construct its home basketball arena on the site. The firm behind the development stated that while their plans include a venue space, it does not encompass a new NBA arena, as the land required is not compatible with their future phases.
London is reportedly at the centre of a bidding war for an NBA franchise. Interested parties are said to include former Tottenham Hotspur chief Daniel Levy, the Lewis family (current Spurs majority shareholders), Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Chelsea owners, and telecommunications giant Liberty Global.
The decision also appears to remove the Battersea site from consideration for a separate arena construction by the London Lions, the current British basketball champions. The Mayor of London is reportedly assisting in the search for land for this bid.
A spokesperson for Battersea Power Station noted that the reported interest from the NBA to bring an arena to London is an exciting prospect, reflecting the city's appeal to international investors. They added that the development is entering a new chapter, preparing to deliver the remaining 16 acres, which could nearly double the neighbourhood's size with up to 3.2 million sq ft of residential, commercial, cultural, and leisure space.