Maverick Carter, LeBron James’ longtime associate, has been named a consultant to a consortium of investors that aims to raise up to $5 billion for the creation of an international basketball league, according to a source familiar with the matter. developments.
The proposed league is expected to feature six men’s teams and six women’s teams, which will compete in selected cities across the world. It was clarified that James and his agent, Rich Paul, are not associated with this initiative, according to another informant who spoke on condition of anonymity. However, James has expressed his desire to join an NBA ownership group upon his retirement from the professional game.
In other developments, the NBA is set to move its talent overseas next week with two games scheduled in Paris between the San Antonio Spurs and the Indiana Pacers on January 23 and 25. This event will mark Victor Wembanyama’s debut in his home country on the NBA floor.
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While in Paris, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum and other senior executives will participate in discussions with European stakeholders, including FIBA, regarding the potential creation of a new league in Europe which would involve the NBA.
-“During our visit to Paris for the Olympics, we spent considerable time meeting with interested parties there,” Silver said last month at the NBA Cup Finals in Las Vegas. “Our return to Paris in January for the games between the Spurs and the Pacers will allow us to meet more interested groups.”
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A real possibility: NBA expresses interest in expanding to another continent
“This is an ongoing area of study,” he continued. “While we are not ready to make public announcements or internal decisions at this time, there is a tremendous opportunity to elevate basketball in Europe. I joined the NBA shortly before the Dream Team in 1992, and at the time, people shared similar feelings about the immense potential. For various reasons, we have yet to witness the emergence of a basketball league in Europe similar to a Champions League. which would capture the enthusiastic support of the fans.”
The NBA sees an untapped financial opportunity on the continent. In August, while in Paris, Tatum remarked, “What is the best product we can bring to market to engage fans in a substantive way and drive the growth of basketball?”
