NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Saturday said with sovereign wealth funds sought to invest in NBA Europe, among other traditions customary in European sport, it “may be that over time there are practices that we learn from in Europe that will then morph into the United States,” according to Vardon & Tansley of THE ATHLETIC. Silver has been “targeting massive financial investments from Middle Eastern countries to help start” the planned NBA Europe league. Silver said with the “opportunity from scratch here in Europe, we are open to different kinds of investors, as principal investors, that aren’t currently allowed in the U.S.” In Europe there are “obvious opportunities for team ownership by a Middle Eastern fund in at least three cities -- London, Paris and Manchester.” Silver, NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum and FIBA CEO Andreas Zagklis will “continue meeting with potential investors and media rights holders in London past” yesterday’s game there between the Magic and Grizzlies (THE ATHLETIC, 1/17).
Silver: Sovereign wealth funds investing in NBA Europe could see U.S. change ‘practices’
