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In an on-stage discussion on Wednesday at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum held at the United Nations, Commissioner Adam Silver reiterated that NBA teams might eventually face European squads in the context of the NBA Cup, and potentially during the NBA playoffs as well.
This isn’t the first time this possibility has been brought up; it has been referred to as a future prospect before. However, this time, Silver provided more details on the concept.
“You can envision teams from Europe and perhaps Africa participating in that tournament,” Silver remarked. “There’s a good chance we could see top teams from other leagues joining our playoffs. Over time, particularly in Europe, as air travel becomes more efficient… I often read about advancements in aviation. For instance, there’s no reason that with four teams in Europe, one couldn’t fly and compete against the Knicks or Nets, then head to London to play three or four games across Europe, and return home. I truly believe this is quite feasible for our league.”
He also expressed that the primary concern for the NBA expanding to Europe or other locations around the globe revolves around the facilities.
“From a business perspective, we haven’t observed the same level of development that’s evident, especially in the United States,” he stated at the Bloomberg Global Forum. “There aren’t many modern arenas in Europe. For those who attended the Olympics in Paris last summer, the Bercy Arena hosted an exceptional basketball tournament, having been somewhat updated for the event.
“However, if you’re involved in the industry, everything seems acceptable from the viewpoint of the spectators enjoying the games, but there are deficits in terms of luxury suites, dining options, and back-of-house areas needed for larger events. London boasts the O2 Arena, which represents significant progress in Europe, but that venue is aging now, and there’s ongoing discussion about new developments. Therefore, we believe there’s a chance to engage with major European cities, presenting a collaborative proposal that includes arena construction, multi-use facilities, and surrounding opportunities.”
