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Now that's a swell idea.
For those of us who have been
aware of (and have visited) European sports leagues, it comes as no
surprise that the NBA is considering a five team division there. Europe
is home to some excellent basketball leagues. Historically, Spain and
Italy (just like in soccer) have produced the top clubs and maintain
the best leagues. However, they have since been joined by the rise of
Greece and France. So I imagine the division would include teams from
these countries.
However, those four countries do not hold a
monopoly on the sport. Basketball is played at a high level in Russia,
Croatia, Lithuania, Serbia and Germany. In this light, the NBA's
decision could not have come at a better time.
While the idea practically is a money maker given the enormous popularity of basketball in Europe, is it practical?
I imagine this is where resistance will arise among some. Get those "Damn foreigners stealing our jobs! political slogans ready.
First among them is the sagging attendance (and image) the NBA
faces. Some may assert before starting all this commissioner David
Stern should keep focus on the NBA in the States.
On the Euro
side of the equation, Spain and Italy have highly profitable leagues
with rabid support. What will the clubs in those places think of the
idea? Is it a given they want in? My uneducated guess is yes given the
NBA's branding power.
Finally, travel may prove to be a slight
irritant. The logistics of this will be rather complicated but
definitely doable nonetheless. Where there's a will there's a way.
And spare me the "dilution of talent with inferiour players"
angle. Has anyone been paying attention? Europe plays mean ball. So
does Brazil and Argentina. This ain't NYC circa 1970 anymore. It's
Rome, Milan, Madrid, Paris and Athens 2008. The world has learned to
play basketball (like hockey) and to dismiss this is plain North
American arrogance.
Furthermore, don't bother arguing that they
only like soccer in Europe. That's not true. Even in soccer mad Italy
large parts of the country don't care for it - or at least are not
ruled by it. Cycling and motorsports are huge there too. In addition,
Italy is home to one of the best soccer and basketball leagues as well
as possibly the best professional volleyball league.
So let's end the notion that Europe is a monolithic sports society myth here.
That all being said, the NBA is now third wheel among the three and a half major sports - guess who is the half hockey fans. The NBA will probably never overtake the NFL and MLB so heading into Europe is a natural and smart business decision.
The
NBA has not said which five teams or cities have the inside track but
there's talk that the headquarters for NBA Europe may be in Rome.
Everyone now: Bonjour, Ciao and Hola!
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