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Cuts in the league office last season were followed by a tepid year at the box office and the loss of significant advertising revenues. In fact, with labor talks on the horizon, the NBA's owners have been adamant that the economic health of the game is in danger.
A number of teams lost money last season. During the Las Vegas Summer League. NBA commissioner David Stern claimed that fewer than half of his league's teams made money. Earlier, during an NBA Finals news conference, Stern projected losses of up to 10 percent of revenue in 2009-10.
Scary stuff, but not unlike what the other major professional sports leagues are facing.
The NBA has an ace in the hole, however. Unlike the National Football League and Major League Baseball, Stern's league truly is a global entity and the NBA has upped its international presence more than ever this offseason.
From the start of the 2008-09 season through the end of the current offseason, the NBA will have hosted a record 345 international events in 158 cities and 24 countries outside the United States, featuring over 300 players, legends, coaches, dance teams, and mascots.
More than 50 marketing and event partners throughout the world signed on for various community events, touring basketball festivals, basketball development programs, preseason and exhibition games, player visits and basketball tournaments, culminating in October with five preseason games on three different continents.
"We're pleased to work with our partners and federations around the world to grow the game, increase participation and give back to communities," said NBA president of global marketing partnerships Heidi Ueberroth.
Upcoming grassroots events feature touring basketball festivals including NBA Jam Van in China and Europe, an NBA Jam Mall Tour in India and NBA Madness in Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan as well as competitive basketball tournaments in Mexico, Europe and Canada.
"We look forward to continuing to work together to grow the game of basketball in India," said Harish Sharma, secretary general of the Basketball Federation of India. "We have worked with the league on various successful grassroots programs and community outreach initiatives for our youth and we are very excited about the first-ever NBA Jam Mall Tour."
Developmental programs aimed at assisting young international talent are also set for the United Kingdom, India, China, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Korea, China and Turkey.
"The Korea Development Camp provides passionate basketball players in Korea the opportunity to meet and train with NBA players and coaches," said the Korea Basketball League commissioner Yook Chon. "Our association with the NBA helps to further develop the sport in this country."
The international explosion will be capped off by live basketball abroad. The NBA will play its first-ever game in Taiwan when the Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers tip off at the Taipei Arena on Oct. 8. Those two teams will then meet again at the Wukesong Arena in Beijing on Oct. 11.
NBA Europe Live will feature the Utah Jazz and the Chicago Bulls from the O2 Arena in London on Oct. 6 followed by the Jazz against Euroleague's Real Madrid at the Palacio de Deportes in Madrid on Oct. 8.
Meanwhile, NBA Mexico Game 2009 will feature the Phoenix Suns against the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 18 in Monterrey at the Arena Monterrey.
In tough economic times, new revenue streams are a must and the NBA is doing its best to cultivate virtually untapped reservoirs outside the country. China's burgeoning economy is seen by many as the "Golden Ticket," and the NBA plans to be on the ground floor.
Things may look a little cloudy today, but the long range forecast features plenty of sunshine for Stern and his league.
1 comment:
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