The american basketball league the NBA and the international basketförbundet Fiba join forces to start a new league in Africa. The new league, which will be called Basketball Africa League, or Bal, should consist of twelve teams from a yet to be determined number of countries.
– the Basketball Africa League is an important next step in our ongoing development of basketsporten in Africa, ” says NBA commissioner Adam Silver in a statement during the NBA’s ongoing all-star weekend in Charlotte in North Carolina.
even Barack Obama involved in the project, and the commissioner says that he had meetings with the former president.
” he said He wants to be directly involved in the project. He understands the economic opportunities in Africa and he is a big fan of the sport, ” says Silver, according to USA Today.
the Qualification for the new league will be launched later in the year, with teams from, among others, Angola, Egypt, Nigeria, Rwanda and south Africa. No country will be allowed to have more than two teams. Exactly when the league can start is not determined.
promises the NBA and Fiba financial assistance to infrastructure, coaches, judges, and training facilities throughout the continent, writes Reuters.
the NBA is, however, not into the project with completely altruistic interests. The package also includes services to make it easier for prospective african consumers of the north american basketball to watch the NBA.