By Andy Marston, Sports Pundit
The NBA is accelerating its global expansion by preparing to sell franchise rights for its African competition, the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
The move sees a shift from the current qualification-based model to franchise-based teams with permanent markets and home arenas.
The NBA will begin selling the rights to operate one of 12 BAL teams, including the construction of new arenas across key African cities, marking the league’s next major commercial step on the continent.
The transformation mirrors other franchise models (like MLS or IPL) and is intended to create stronger local identities, attract long-term investors, and solidify player pathways between Africa and the NBA.
The NBA is also said to be exploring a similar structure in Europe, in partnership with FIBA, signalling a more aggressive push into international markets.
Why It Matters:
While sprinter Noah Lyles previously mocked the NBA’s “world champion” title, arguing true world champions come from competitions with international representation, the NBA is now beginning to earn that label. It’s the most global of America’s major leagues and is now flexing that muscle on an international stage.
Like the NFL, MLB, and NHL, the NBA has long focused on exporting its product through overseas fixtures in cities like London and Paris. However, this move signals a shift with the NBA moving from purely exporting a product to actually building one locally.
With top NBA talent increasingly coming from Africa (and Europe), yet domestic infrastructure still lagging, this model gives the NBA greater control of its pipeline, future-proofing fandom and talent.
Creating locally owned, permanent franchises deepens cultural relevance and long-term revenue potential far more than one-off tours or grassroots activations ever could.
P.S. While the NBA’s move is a first among the established leagues, a similar playbook is already emerging with the likes of Kings League and Baller League, which are expanding across Europe, the US, and, in Kings League’s case, MENA.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the NFL follows a similar path with Flag Football ahead of LA28 to build local fandom and a genuinely global footprint. The Commissioner Roger Goodell has already announced plans to launch women’s and men’s professional leagues.
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