The commissioner of the NBA, Adam Silver spoke this Wednesday about the possibility that the NBA plans in the future up to a week of action with NBA games in Europedespite its complicated schedule.
As Silver explained at a press conference in Paris, regarding the duel that the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers will have this Thursday and Saturday, The NBA is looking for a way to internationalize the League like the NFL has done in recent years planning clashes outside the United States.
“I would love the idea that the NBA could move a good number of teams to Europe and for more than a week,” noted Silver, who clarified that the NFL “has a more flexible schedule” than the NBA, with at least three games a week.
As for what these possible cities would be, Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum pointed out that they are targeting the large cities of Europe, although he did not officially announce any.
Nevertheless, Silver clarified that this plan is still “uncertain”because if a reduction in the number of matches were necessary to carry it out “it would affect the business.”
The commissioner also commented on the possibility of there being “one day” NBA franchises established in Europe and considered it “a dream”, although “it is not the priority at this time.”
“Everything we do we will do in coordination with FIBA. Everything we do will be to add,” he added.
However, he did specify that it would be more plausible to develop an independent league.
“The question is whether, similar to what we have done in Africa, there is an opportunity to be part of an independent league. It is not clear if this work will be done in collaboration with existing leagues,” he said.
Regarding tomorrow’s meeting in the Parisian pavilion of Bercy, Silver said the 20,000 tickets (for the 23rd and 25th) were sold in less than 24 hours and they were purchased by people of 53 different nationalities, which sets “a record” in the NBA.
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