NEW YORK — NBA commissioner Adam Silver began his news conference Thursday with a big announcement. After nearly a year of exploratory talks across the continent, Silver said the league is officially moving ahead with its plans to explore a new basketball league in Europe.

In a controversial move that may have just doubled as a scathing indictment of how he felt about the game, Los Angeles Lakers superstar power forward LeBron James revealed during All-Star Weekend that he would sit out the game and avoid his press obligations as he dealt with an injury.

In a joint announcement Thursday with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced the “exploration” of a new men’s basketball league in Europe. Silver and FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis met with reporters in the afternoon after briefing NBA owners at this week’s Board of Governors meetings.