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Last Updated On: May 03, 2025 10:57 AM , Published On: Jan 24, 2025 06:25 AM
The NBA organized an annual commissioner's news conference before Thursday's first game between the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers at the Accor Arena. This conference allows American and foreign media to ask questions of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
Questions are usually about the game or the NBA's presence in Europe, and the situation is somewhat low-key. That was mostly the case this year as well. However, Silver's openly aggressive strategy for expanding into Europe, which he has carefully played around for years, was the remarkable exception.
Adam Silver Statements and Openness
Silver said:
“We believe that the game's revenue potential has not kept up with its expansion. Even though Europe is still producing some of the world's top players, many of our most recent MVPs are, of course, European.”
“At the NBA, our job is to manage leagues. Naturally, we handle the WNBA, the G League, the Basketball Africa League, and a 2K video league. We believe we have competence in running five distinct leagues. Therefore, we are closely examining whether there is a chance to raise the game to a higher degree of professionalism to generate a greater commercial opportunity.”
Silver's openness and expected transparency about the possibility of an NBA Europe league came at the ideal moment, given how the real match opened with the Spurs. France's adopted team won 140-110 in a fantastic performance that gave a level of passion worthy of a new international project.
The Wemby Show
Since Americans make up 70% of the NBA, Europeans are extremely proud when a member of their nation qualifies for the world's largest and highly competitive basketball league.
The writer has covered the game for 17 years, and the response to Victor Wembanyama before the game was one of the craziest and most passionate that he has ever seen.
After the superstar's incredible effort, which included 30 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and five blocks, Spurs teammate Chris Paul referred to it as the most extensive performance he has ever witnessed from the 21-year-old Frenchman. With his impressive dunks, long blocks, deep 3-pointers, and a variety of passes that would have satisfied Nikola Jokić, Wembanyama's stats weren't gathered quietly either.
The NBA Runs a Tight Ship
It's difficult to move a regular-season game over the Atlantic Ocean. The preparation process required thousands and thousands of extra working hours, and the league once again ensured that everything went without an issue, from media access to fan interaction.
As long as they don't wind up near Euro League teams, the league's engagement and commercial attraction can help develop good basketball clubs around Europe. However, that is a story for another time. Silver is correct when he says that the NBA is competent at creating leagues.
The league will face its most difficult task when it comes to breaking into the European market. However, the NBA should be able to both attract top athletes and use the lessons learnt from past launches. This is considered especially how the sport has become more globalized and how many players are talented enough to play in the league but are not already there.