A revolutionary basketball league backed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is on the horizon, aiming to challenge the NBA's dominance. This ambitious league seeks to attract top players worldwide, especially from Europe, providing them an alternative to the established NBA. With plans to establish six men's and six women's teams, the league will span across Asia and Europe, targeting fans from eight host cities, including Macau and Singapore.
The innovative league, still in its formative stages, aspires to reach a global audience of two billion fans. Organizers are exploring European venues as part of their strategy to expand the sport's reach. Strategic partnerships with Saudi events company Sela and Macau casino group Galaxy Entertainment will play a pivotal role in this venture. Kevin Kelley, the chief operations officer at Galaxy Entertainment Group, highlighted the potential impact of "high-level basketball" in Macau, positioning the region as a premier destination for tourism.
"They're creating a series of unmissable entertainment experiences for fans, and we're all in." – Kevin Kelley
In addition to Macau and Singapore, the league is eyeing European cities to host games, marking a significant shift in basketball's traditional geography. With Swiss bank UBS advising the league, the organizers are setting a strong financial foundation for this global endeavor. The PIF, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is investing heavily in this league, mirroring its earlier strategy with LIV Golf to challenge the PGA Tour.
"There's a huge untapped market — millions of fans outside of the U.S. who are eager for us to grow the sport at the elite level." – Lee Linden
The league's mission is clear: to deliver a "global game" that taps into the vast potential of basketball as a worldwide spectacle. Neil Meyer emphasized this vision by stating,
"The thesis is simple: Basketball is a global game and the world wants more of it."
Byron Deeter echoed this sentiment, highlighting the immense opportunities in global basketball.
"When it comes to global basketball, the opportunity is massive." – Byron Deeter
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