Think of the youngest continent on Earth, then add an unyielding love for sports and American stars and culture, now think of a place of infinite open space for basketball courts whose entertainment is almost entirely based on outdoors. Welcome to the African continent.
About four years ago, NBA Commissioner set a clear and well-defined business goal which was to establish an official and fully operating NBA branch in Africa due to its demographics, it’s simply the best business strategy possible for an entity that seeks international expansion. Well, it’s safe to say that day has arrived.
This is major news because the new entity is a partnership between the NBA and FIBA in the NBA’s first collaboration to fully operate a professional league outside of North America as if it were in the homeland with all whistles and bells. The NBA, in Johannesburg, released a statement this morning confirming it.
Even though NBA Africa will conduct the league’s business in the continent, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL), it will start forming a league of its own, separated from the other African teams, that is, it will soon be a full extension of the US based NBA.
The strategic investors include a consortium led by Babatunde “Tunde” Folawiyo, Yinka Folawiyo Group; and Helios Fairfax Partners Corporation (HFP), led by Tope Lawani, and Managing Partner of Helios Investment Partners (“Helios”).
STREETOPIA was able to confirm that that are ongoing negotiations for broadcast agreements between NBA and a couple of countries in Europe where there is a strong African presence, which potentially would increase the popularity of the new league not only in Africa but also in Europe.
Go NBA Africa!
