Rumors

NBA executives are expected to connect with African government leaders during the United Nations General Assembly this week, sources told SBJ, as the league advances its incremental plan to sell as many as 10 permanent Basketball Africa League franchises to private investors. Sources said initial bids in June emanated from markets such as Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa, with multiple offers exceeding $50M -- believed to be the largest proposed investments into basketball on the continent. The NBA’s apparent goal during this week’s UN General Assembly in N.Y. that begins Tuesday is to discuss its BAL vision with those government officials across Africa and, afterward, advance talks with priority bidders. In its six-year existence, the BAL has been a caravan-styled league co-operated by NBA Africa and FIBA, with 12 teams from 12 African nations qualifying on an annual basis. But sources said the expectation -- as the purchase process evolves this year -- is to gradually add permanent franchises starting with the 2027 touring season. The BAL would eventually wind up with 10 privately-owned teams in ensuing years and launch a home-and-away template, with the league’s 11th and 12th teams still qualifying annually.

Sports Business Journal

NBA executives are expected to connect with African government leaders during the United Nations General Assembly this week, sources told SBJ, as the league advances its incremental plan to sell as many as 10 permanent Basketball Africa League franchises to private investors.

Sports Business Journal

Sources said initial bids this past June emanated from markets such as Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa, with multiple offers exceeding $50M -- believed to be the largest proposed investments into basketball on the continent. The NBA’s apparent goal during this week’s UN General Assembly in N.Y. that begin Tuesday is to discuss its BAL vision with those government officials across Africa and, afterwards, advance talks with priority bidders.

Sports Business Journal

Chris Haynes: I’m told Sixers star Joel Embiid is in New York for United Nation General Assembly week with focus of how business of sports can transform Africa financially. He will speak at two events today, including Earthshot Prize hosted by Prince William. Monday night Bloomberg hosted an pic.x.com/tbdxjm4l2w

Twitter

Leading Virginia lawmakers have stripped plans for a new Wizards and Capitals arena from the state budget that the General Assembly is expected to approve on Saturday, blocking Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s best shot at bringing the teams to Alexandria and dealing a severe blow to a deal the governor has touted as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Washington Post

In the event on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, NBA commissioner Adam Silver hailed Africa as bursting with sporting potential, noting that more than 10 percent of players in the world's premier basketball league were born in African countries or have African parents. "Invariably more NBA, WNBA players will be discovered, will be nurtured, will be developed and then be able to play at the highest level," he said of the region's younger generations and the benefits of expanding youth training programs there.

Yahoo!

Kagame, who was speaking at a reception hosted by the NBA in New York ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, thanked the organisers for choosing to source talent from Africa. ‘‘In the NBA there have been many Africans but there are many more who can qualify to be there. It is not just playing basketball, it exposes them to many opportunities, including education and many others,’‘ Kagame said.

africanews.com