The NBA is expected to announce a “multi-year deal to play regular-season games at Manchester’s 23,500-capacity Co-op Live arena,” which would make it “Europe’s largest basketball venue, starting possibly as early as next season,” according to Ian Whittell of the London TIMES. The arena is majority owned by the City Football Group. There is a “growing relationship” between the NBA and Abu Dhabi, which could “eventually lead to a Manchester City team playing in a proposed NBA Europe competition.” The interest in basketball is being “driven by” Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism Chair Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, brother of the Manchester City Chair Khaldoon Al Mubarak. Abu Dhabi has agreed to a jersey patch sponsorship deal with the Knicks, while the Emirates airline has purchased naming rights to the NBA Cup and has its brand “emblazoned on referees’ jerseys.” The NBA has “yet to confirm anything official,” although the NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum this week revealed that he had “met London mayor Sadiq Khan about the prospect of more games in the city.” Berlin is also “expected to be handed regular-season games,” as the NBA “looks to capitalise” on Germany’s FIBA Basketball World Cup victory in 2023. London and Paris, along with Manchester and Berlin, are “among the cities with arenas capable of staging NBA events.” One possibility being explored is to “align NBA Europe franchises with well-established football clubs in those countries” (London TIMES, 2/12).
Report: NBA seeking to expand European presence in Manchester
