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In an interview held on stage at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum at the United Nations on Wednesday, Commissioner Adam Silver reiterated the possibility of NBA teams facing off against teams from NBA Europe in future editions of the NBA Cup or even during playoff competitions.
This isn’t the first time this concept has been suggested; however, Silver took the opportunity this time to further elaborate on it.
“You can envision European teams, and potentially teams from Africa, entering that tournament,” Silver stated. “It’s also conceivable that top-seeded teams from other leagues could participate in our playoffs. Looking ahead, particularly in Europe, as air travel continues to improve… I frequently read about advancements in aviation. For instance, when I consider the flight path from New York to Los Angeles, there’s no reason why, if we had four teams based in Europe, you couldn’t travel to play the Knicks or Nets, then travel to London for three or four games in Europe and return home. I believe it’s entirely feasible within our league.”
He also emphasized that the primary concern regarding the NBA’s expansion into Europe or any other regions revolves around the venues available.
“From a commercial perspective, we haven’t seen the same level of arena development that we’ve noted, especially in the United States,” he shared at the Bloomberg Global Forum. “There are not many modern arenas in Europe. For example, those who attended the Olympics in Paris last summer experienced an excellent basketball competition at the Bercy Arena, which was partially refurbished for the event.
“However, for industry insiders, everything may appear satisfactory while seated and watching the action unfold, but the venues lack the suites, dining options, and adequate backstage areas necessary for hosting larger events… London boasts the O2 Arena, which has been a significant enhancement in Europe, yet that facility is already aging, and discussions about a new development are underway. We perceive an opportunity to engage in major European capitals, offering a collaborative approach involving arena development, a multi-purpose facility, and all associated prospects.”
