Olympics hold the key to the NBA's expansion ambitions 12/06/2009 |
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Having already made huge inroads into the Chinese market, where there are an estimated 300 million NBA fans and the government is planning to build 800,000 new courts, Britain is next on the list for NBA expansion. The 2012 Olympics offer the perfect opportunity.
David Stern, the NBA commissioner, said: "We have encouraged our own players who have a connection to the UK in terms of participating.
"We like that. We think it's going to grow, but it's going to grow slowly. Basketball will enthral a much larger group at the Olympics in 2012."
The accompanying marketing push has already begun with exhibition matches at London's O2 Arena – it will be the turn of the Bulls to take on Utah Jazz in October – as well as NBA clinics and the creation of new basketball courts.
According to NBA research, basketball is now the second fastest growing sport among under-18s in Britain.
"I think there will be a lot more grass-roots basketball activity post-Olympics," said Stern. "There will also be a recognition by sponsors that basketball is a good thing in which to invest and there will be a recognition by retailers that certain products are good to carry."
But increasing participation is one thing; persuading people to follow the NBA is another when Premier League football is so dominant. Media coverage in Britain of the current NBA finals between the LA Lakers and Orlando Magic has been almost non-existent.
That is where the likes of Deng and Gordon come in. "The Olympics will change attitudes," said Gordon, who could make his GB debut this summer, once he has finalised a new NBA contract.
"I think people's awareness will definitely start to pick up when they realise that British-born players and British citizens representing the country at the Olympics are also playing in the NBA, the best basketball league in the world." perfect opportunity.
David Stern, the NBA commissioner, said: "We have encouraged our own players who have a connection to the UK in terms of participating.
"We like that. We think it's going to grow, but it's going to grow slowly. Basketball will enthral a much larger group at the Olympics in 2012."
The accompanying marketing push has already begun with exhibition matches at London's O2 Arena – it will be the turn of the Bulls to take on Utah Jazz in October – as well as NBA clinics and the dedication of new basketball courts.
According to NBA research, basketball is now the second fastest growing sport among under-18s in Britain.
"I think there will be a lot more grass-roots basketball activity post-Olympics," said Stern. "There will also be a recognition by sponsors that basketball is a good thing in which to invest and there will be a recognition by retailers that certain products are good to carry."
But increasing participation is one thing; persuading people to follow the NBA is another when Premier League football is so dominant. Media coverage in Britain of the current NBA finals between the LA Lakers and Orlando Magic has been almost non-existent.
That is where the likes of Deng and Gordon come in.
"I think the Olympics will change attitudes," said Gordon, who could make his GB debut as early as this summer once he has finalised a new NBA contract.
"I think people's awareness will definitely start to pick up when they realise that British-born players and British citizens representing the country at the Olympics are also playing in the NBA, the best league of basketball in the world."
(Source: Telegraph.co.uk)
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