“The NBA has a huge opportunity in Europe”

Adam Silver’s NBA keeps on giving steps to turn your healthy gift into an even brighter future. First the new collective agreement was signed which promises the social peace between franchises and players. Then came the new television deals. The certainty that the NBA will continue to build its historic economic numbers: They are signed for eleven years and 76,000 million dollars. The next thing, certainly in the medium term, will be the extensioncoming two more franchises for jumped from 30 to 32 with Las Vegas and Seattle as the favorites. But there is another issue, one that is not fundamental but important, or so it seems already at this point, for the NBA: expansion, at least in terms of business, to Europe.

The Commissioner spoke a few days ago, in conversation with AP within the framework of the Olympic basketball competition. Silver made it clear that they have been studying the structure of the game and its competitions in the old continent for some time.: “We want to make sure we have enough understanding of this opportunity. We do not want to damage the backbone of the infrastructure that has been established. On the other hand, in terms of regional competitions in Europe, it makes me think that many investors lose large sums of money every year. And while this isn’t just about money, things that make you lose money for no reason really don’t come alive in the end.”

“We have not made any decision. I still think there is a big opportunity ahead of us.. Not that we want to change an entire league in a short period of time, but I think there is a desire among our owners to invest more in basketball on a global level. With how good basketball is here in Europe, it would make sense for us to try to do something with it.” Money speaks volumes, and so do the NBA’s moves. Already in February the portal Fun announced that the NBA was working with an investment fund, Raine Groupfor analyze its interests and opportunities in Europe, including the creation of its own competition like the one it launched in Africa (BAL, African League Basketball).

The NBA has always been an actor, at least in the role of an observer, in the conflict between FIBA​​​​​​ and the Euroleague, which is also moving slowly towards liquidation. The Euroleague admitted that they have held discussions with the American leaguebut this is certain AS what They haven’t seen a viable joint plan for months and? They have put aside any discussion with the Euroleague to cooperate with FIBA​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Mark Tatum, Silver’s assistant commissioner and right-hand man, is actually a Guild member table from FIBA.

More information

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  The NBA’s expansion plans to Europe now include collaboration with the International Federation.

Mike Vorkunov, journalist The Athletics Well connected to the NBA offices, he also points to moves to expand the NBA’s influence in Europe. But he warns, of course, that It’s a basketball with a lot of tradition, a history of big, established clubs and a very unique and established competitive ecosystem.. In that sense, the NBA could find gaps between the clubs with a fixed license (including Real Madrid, Barcelona and Baskonia) but they extended, in principle, their commitment to the Euroleague until 2040.

“There has always been the fear that, if the NBA comes in, everything will be like in the United States: business, entertainment and, later, sports.“, they confirm Vorkunov from the European side. The point is, and Silver has confirmed this, there is something The NBA moves, slowly but surely, and in Europe we are already looking forward to something that could be part of a solution but also a problem.: The NBA has its own idioms, interests and way of understanding the business, but also the ability to capitalize on its brand and generate revenue that is not even close to European basketball in which This commercial sector is still an obvious headache.

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