NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum has just confirmed an interest from the North American basketball league for an investment in Europe, “we are talking with Fiba”, without providing more details on the type of discussions and the timetable.
“We are working with Fiba (International Basketball Federation) and our partners in Europe to seize this opportunity to grow basketball there,” explained Mr. Tatum during a press briefing with international media before the start. of the NBA season Tuesday night. “There is no doubt that there is an opportunity, a need for basketball to continue to grow in Europe. Basketball is probably the second most popular sport on the continent but its market share is currently very low,” notes the manager. “How to invest in the European basketball ecosystem? What would be the operating model? What might this look like? We are still in a preliminary phase of discussions with Fiba. Through commissioner Adam Silver, the NBA had already mentioned its interest in European basketball, without specifying whether the ambition was to create a competition competing with the current Euroleague.
The North American league continues to highlight its internationalization, while 125 foreign players, equaled last year’s record, will start the season, and its desire for growth outside North America.
The NBA, for example, helped launch a club competition in Africa in 2020 with Fiba, the African Basketball League.
