In a significant partnership aimed at promoting basketball in England, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver at No. 10 Downing Street in July. That meeting resulted in a combined £10 million investment, or about $13.7 million. This funding will go a long way to take recreational basketball to every corner of our nation. The U.K. government will match this amount with £5 million of its own. In the same way, the NBA is contributing £5 million to improve access to the sport for young people.
Basketball is now the second-most popular team sport among young people in England. This investment further demonstrates the willingness of both parties to invest in the growth of basketball. It guarantees that people of all ages, races, and communities receive the opportunity to interact with the game.
Commissioner Adam Silver surprised attendees with news that they are already working on plans to develop a new European basketball league. This thrilling league could be launched as soon as 2027 or 2028. The NBA and FIBA are collaborating to establish a youth basketball league. Whether converting casual viewers into diehard fans or raising the state of play to better prepare U.K.
Mark Tatum, NBA Deputy Commissioner, spoke to the need of developing safe and inclusive environments for new and established basketball lovers alike. He stated,
“We look forward to working more closely together in the years to come, including around the potential launch of a new pan-European league that would bring more world-class basketball to fans in the U.K.”
The U.K. government made its announcement about the investment on Wednesday, calling attention to its commitment to grow the game of recreational basketball. Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer welcomed the initiative’s potential to transform lives, highlighting that.
“Basketball is booming in Britain — and this investment will help take it to the next level, opening up the game to thousands more people right across the country.”
This new collaborative effort will significantly increase youth participation in basketball. One of its other goals is to facilitate playing different games and hosting different events as time goes on. The joint investment exemplifies the commitment of both parties to building a quality basketball culture and infrastructure in the mould across England.
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