NBA games in London a 'great opportunity' to expand the sport
Allowing fans abroad to buy NBA tickets to games in their home country is a great way to expand the league's popularity, it has been claimed.
Tonight (March 4th) sees the first ever NBA game to take place in Europe when the New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors square off in the first of two back-to-back games.
It follows a number of friendly games between NBA teams that have taken place in London and elsewhere in Europe.
Speaking to the BBC, Brett Yormark, chief executive of the New Jersey Nets, said that the NBA had made great progress in spreading the popularity of basketball.
"The NBA has been at the forefront of globalising the sport, and these games are all part of that" he said.
"With our team moving to Brooklyn next year and our drive to increase our global appeal, we thought it was a great opportunity and one that is good for our business."
The first of the two NAB London games takes place at the O2 Arena tonight, starting from 6:30pm.
Posted by Daniel Owens
