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Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive is pushing NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to institute a 12-team professional league in India in the near future, per Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated.
For a variety of reasons, the NBA's global popularity has grown exponentially in recent years. Fans from all around the globe are latching on to some of the league's biggest stars, including LeBron James, Stephen Curry and others.
The NBA has done a nice job in catering to its international fan base. In fact, the league has now played several games in an overseas setting, including the Africa Games, and a new league is starting up in Africa in 2020. Furthermore, some of this preseason's matchups will take place in Mumbai, India.
Silver says there is serious consideration to launch a league in India. However, he also notes that the infrastructure to do so isn't quite there yet.
NBA commisioner Adam Silver says there is “serious consideration to the launch of a league” in India. Silver also helps that future NBA and WNBA players are developed in India. Vivek likes the name of “Monsoon Madness” for a league & he talked about building arenas with India PM. https://t.co/0hHqPV0GbA
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) October 4, 2019
Silver says arena infrastructure must be improved in India before a league could be launched here. NBA brought in a hardwood basketball floor, scoreboard and more to the arena in Mumbai for game tonight. Silver says he hopes to launch a pro basketball league in India in 5 years. https://t.co/HQUPAhlXuF
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) October 4, 2019
The Kings are facing off against the Indiana Pacers in two preseason games on Friday and Saturday in Mumbai, marking the first NBA games in India. It's the first time teams from a North American sports league have ever played in India:
“Our inaugural NBA India Games will help further untap the enormous basketball potential in a country with a thriving sports culture and a growing, young and engaged population,” Silver said via CNN last December when the Mumbai games were first announced.
Whether or not India (or any other countries) will get a professional league remains to be seen, but it sure looks like one will be created in the near future.
