Paris was built around a vision that extended far beyond a simple EuroLeague basketball project. The goal was much bigger: to become the center of European basketball itself. Popular brands, fashion, music and the necessary touch of gastronomy combined into what looks increasingly like the perfect recipe.
On the court, Paris Basketball emerged as the surprise package of the 2024-25 EuroLeague season, introducing a fresh basketball concept to the competition. The blueprint created by Tuomas Iisalo before his move to the NBA was executed almost to perfection by Tiago Splitter, who eventually followed the same path across the Atlantic.
Some people are drawn to the speed, the relentless rotation, the seemingly endless energy, the aggressive style on both ends of the floor, the nonstop transition game and a philosophy that often appears to be driven first by instinct and then by the X’s and O’s. Others see a certain degree of recklessness in that approach and remain skeptical, at least until they watch it succeed on European basketball’s biggest stage.
Yet all of the above feels secondary when compared to the real vision of David Kahn and the American investment group that set out to build something entirely different for European basketball. Founded on July 12, 2018, Paris has already won the EuroCup, completed two EuroLeague seasons and, perhaps most importantly, produced something even more valuable: culture.
Anyone searching David Kahn’s name on Google will quickly find a direct connection to Stephen Curry. The story is simple. In the 2009 NBA Draft, as President of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kahn had two opportunities to select the greatest shooter in basketball history. Instead, he chose Ricky Rubio with the fifth pick and Jonny Flynn with the sixth. Curry went seventh overall to the Golden State Warriors and proceeded to transform the modern game.
It seems that lesson stayed with the man now leading the project in the French capital.
This time, however, Kahn approached things from a completely different angle. Instead of investing heavily in a roster and coaching staff for short-term success, he chose to build a complete basketball ecosystem in the City of Light. A long-term vision rather than a temporary solution.
Paris is the epicenter of European basketball. Ask Adidas, ask Nike and Brand Jordan, ask the NBA. The number of players, the vibrant hoops culture, fashion, music, everything is here”, Kahn told SDNA during an interview.
He continued:
“It’s no accident that the NBA is now playing its European regular-season game in Paris, and not London. We are working tirelessly to make Paris Basketball yet another reason why Paris is a must-have for all European basketball.”
From day one, Paris focused on becoming an attractive brand rather than just another basketball team.
The elegance of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities was paired with a memorable logo, a distinctive color palette built around black and pink, and a clear identity. Paris itself became intertwined with the club’s philosophy. Much like its own version of Emily in Paris, the former team of T.J. Shorts and Tyson Ward invested heavily in style: everyday clothing, eye-catching jerseys and apparel designed to be worn by anyone, at any time of the day.
In many ways, the concept resembles what NBA franchises have successfully built over the years. A brand that reaches beyond basketball. Away from rivalries, toxicity, hostility and tribalism.
As Kahn himself highlighted, culture, fashion and music are central pillars of the project.
We would add one more ingredient: a touch of Disney’s Ratatouille.
Rémy, the gifted rat with extraordinary culinary talent, and Alfredo Linguini, the young kitchen assistant who helps bring his vision to life, could easily serve as the symbolic faces of Paris Basketball. Familiar, approachable, cheerful and bright characters. Figures capable of creating both identification and excitement, while speaking to audiences of all ages.
That sense of warmth is exactly what Paris Basketball hopes to transmit beyond the boundaries of the court.
Regardless of future titles, trophies, transfers or victories on European basketball’s biggest stage, Kahn and his American partners have already accomplished something meaningful: they have created culture.
At the same time, the city of Paris has embraced the project with open arms. Not only for locals, but for anyone willing to experience a small taste of an innovative and unconventional basketball brand.
After all, what could be better than a trip to the French capital where, within a few hours, a visitor can watch a EuroLeague game, stroll down the Champs-Élysées, enjoy a perfectly cooked entrecôte with its famous green sauce and take a few — or many — photos beneath the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower?
The question is rhetorical.
Paris Basketball has already found the perfect recipe.
