David Stern: There WILL Be NBA Teams In Europe

[Euroleague]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/21492055/david-stern-says-for-sure-there-will-be-multiple-nba-teams-in-europe-in-20-years

Stern: 'For sure' there'll be multiple NBA teams in Europe in 20 years

By Royce Young | Blogger
January 3, 2013 2:55 pm ET

http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/visual/whatshot/72712_Stern.jpg
The NBA could be headed across the pond. (Getty Images)

David Stern is stepping down as commissioner on Feb. 1, 2014, which will mark exactly 30 years sitting on the NBA's throne.

So within the next year or so, he's got a lot of things to do before he passes the big chair to Adam Silver. One of those things is possibly setting plans in motion to return the NBA to Seattle, something he's reportedly "determined" to do.

Another expansion idea Stern has? Taking the NBA to Europe. Though it's not something he'll likely be involved with. On SVP & Russillo, Stern acted as if it's a certainty the NBA will have a European team.

"I think so," Stern said when asked if he sees a team in Europe at some point. "I think multiple NBA international teams. Twenty years from now? For sure. In Europe. No place else. In other places I think you'll see the NBA name on leagues and other places with marketing and basketball support, but not part of the NBA as we now know it."

It might sound a little crazy, but it shouldn't. Because it almost happened already with an expansion team in London. Via the Boston Globe:

There was a time when Stern had dreams of a team or even a division in Europe, a first in American sports. He was determined to devise a way for a group of teams in London, Rome, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, and Berlin to compete with the 30 stateside NBA teams and even have a real world championship series.

Regardless of how uncomfortable the idea made fans who believe 30 teams was enough -- and regardless of how inconceivable it might be to have a team in a time zone six hours ahead of the Eastern US -- Stern was going to add the London Abbeys to the NBA.

That idea died on the operating table though, because the international economy went rotten and because there aren't any NBA-style arenas overseas.

Which is why Stern put the 20-year timetable on it. Because within that time frame, someone is probably going to build an NBA arena with luxury boxes and concessions and 20,000 seats. Once that happens, an expansion team in London or Barcelona is probably an inevitability.

The NBA is already the second-most globalized game in the world behind soccer, so it's natural to try to expand its borders. There's money to be made internationally. And building a bridge between the NBA and Euroleague would certainly be an interesting evolution.

I know what you're thinking. How is this possible? How could the Trail Blazers take a road trip to Rome on the second night of a back-to-back?

Well, consider this: A flight from New York to London is roughly seven and a half hours. A flight from New York to Los Angeles is roughly six hours. So in the same way schedule-makers set up West and East Coast road trips, it would probably be the same for European trips. It would complicate NBA travel for sure, but it's possible. Especially since we'll probably all be able to teleport in 20 years anyway.

Still, with the league coming off a lockout where the owners cried poor, doesn't it seem odd to be adding more teams, which means the pie gets split even more? There are a lot of variables that will be in play to this actually happening, one being the health of the league.

This isn't something Stern will be overseeing during his tenure. Twenty years is a long time, and a whole lot of things can change. It's something on the radar, though, and Stern seems exceedingly confident it's going to happen. So start getting your mind wrapped around the idea of an East Coast road trip including a stop in London.

[atljonesbro]

Why did you post that picture of David Stern

[Mr. Jabbar]

The real hint lies at the end, its only possible when faster travel methods are available.

[Euroleague]

The real hint lies at the end, its only possible when faster travel methods are available.

Even back in the 70's you could go from New York to London in 3 hours. The technology existed over 30 years ago with the Concorde.

It's huge exaggeration about the travel thing. Of course there will be another service like the Concorde, or even faster. It's just a matter of time.

[DirtySanchez]

I heard that before. No clue how they will schedule games...maybe we can beam people from place to place by then???

[anthonyRandolph]

Wouldn't be shocked if Europe got all the FA's too, the fug would I want to play in a small market over here when I can go to Barcelona and become worldwide or some sht

[InspiredLebowski]

good luck negotiating a TV deal with a 6 hour time difference. that's why it won't happen, not because it takes too long to fly or whatever. weekday 1pm EST games, that'll fly.

[Euroleague]

good luck negotiating a TV deal with a 6 hour time difference. that's why it won't happen, not because it takes too long to fly or whatever. weekday 1pm EST games, that'll fly.

Supposedly Euroleague is getting close to securing a TV deal in the US already. So I don't see why it would not work.

[Cali Syndicate]

Outside of exhibitions, NBA should stay exclusively in the US

[InspiredLebowski]

Supposedly Euroleague is getting close to securing a TV deal in the US already. So I don't see why it would not work.then you don't understand the value of a continental product compared to a global one, or television in general really.

[Fudge]

Look at those massive earlobes though. Dumbo-looking ass.

[Myth]

http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/visual/whatshot/72712_Stern.jpg


Earlobes to droopy. Would not bang.

[Mr. Jabbar]

Even back in the 70's you could go from New York to London in 3 hours. The technology existed over 30 years ago with the Concorde.

It's huge exaggeration about the travel thing. Of course there will be another service like the Concorde, or even faster. It's just a matter of time.

The concorde was a mad expensive flight I remember, besides, the only team capable of supersonic flight was removed from league. You mention NY and London, but what about west coast trips to Europe? Unless every team that plays the knicks gets to travel to London next, and vice versa with european teams passing through London, thats the only way possible. Crazy stuff.

[InspiredLebowski]

The concorde was a mad expensive flight I remember, besides, the only team capable of supersonic flight was removed from league. You mention NY and London, but what about west coast trips to Europe? Unless every team that plays the knicks gets to travel to London next, and vice versa with european teams passing through London, thats the only way possible. Crazy stuff.You'd need an entire European division.

[SacJB Shady]

That is so cool. The article said that by that time we will have teleportation. It's a long ass time from now. But that would be so cool to know that players are getting beamed over to their games.

[Euroleague]

Outside of exhibitions, NBA should stay exclusively in the US

Why in the hell is there a team in Canada then?

[Euroleague]

then you don't understand the value of a continental product compared to a global one, or television in general really.

NBA isn't a global TV product. That's just more delusional NBA only fan syndrome bullshit.

[Euroleague]

The concorde was a mad expensive flight I remember, besides, the only team capable of supersonic flight was removed from league. You mention NY and London, but what about west coast trips to Europe? Unless every team that plays the knicks gets to travel to London next, and vice versa with european teams passing through London, thats the only way possible. Crazy stuff.

Obviously, they would simply never schedule a west coast trip to London.

[Rubio2Gasol]

good luck negotiating a TV deal with a 6 hour time difference. that's why it won't happen, not because it takes too long to fly or whatever. weekday 1pm EST games, that'll fly.


People around the world watch football just fine :confusedshrug:

I don't think it's feasible - mainly because the 16+ hour flight to play is ridiculous and is going to make scheduling a nightmare.

[Swaggin916]

NBA Europe Division

London
Barcelona
Madrid
Munchen (Munich)
Milano

Do this and get rid of franchises like the Bobcats, Bucks, Memphis, NO, and the Clippers... that won't happen, but I mean c'mon how many teams can you really have in this league? There are enough huge cities over there and enough money that they could have their own league and persuade the big stars to come. I mean c'mon Kobe would take a max contract in Milan, Dirk in Munich, Pau and Marc in Barca... etc. The NBA would become a more Global game like Soccer and although for a while it might be watered down... Eventually it would catch up because the interest would increase and more people would play basketball. Then, at the end, you just have the NBA America Champs, and the NBA Europe Champs play each other.

I mean the first way I said is a simpler approach just incorporating them into the NBA... but 35 teams in one league? Jesus.

[Clutch]

There are too many obstacles for European teams to play in the NBA.

First of all there's a travel problem. Some of you said you need only 3 hours from London to New York. That's fine. But how many hours do you need from Turkey/Greece to California ? And not playing on the West Coast isn't a solution. Why even bring European teams to the NBA when they will only be able to play against themselves and the East Coast teams ?

Then there's a time difference problem. Unless European teams play all the games at 12:00 PM ET or something like that only a little amount of European fans will watch them. NBA games are mostly around 1-2 AM in Europe,those played in the West Coast are mostly around 3-4 AM. Casual fans won't watch that shit,only maybe 5% of the fanatics will.

If you just think a little you could come up with more problems but those are the two most obvious ones. Unless we find a faster way to travel and manage to make a schedule in which both Americans and Europeans can watch games in normal time (not really late at night) having European teams in the NBA is just a dream.

[brantonli]

NBA isn't a global TV product. That's just more delusional NBA only fan syndrome bullshit.


Duh what? NBA is almost the only global basketball anything. None of the other leagues come remotely close. Of course basketball is nowhere as global as football yet.


And I don't see why the time zone is brought up so often? If peopl want to see it then they will, here in HK people stay up until 1, 2, 3 am to watch European football matches. Ek I have friends in uk who wake up at 4 to watch NBA games.

[Euroleague]

There are too many obstacles for European teams to play in the NBA.

First of all there's a travel problem. Some of you said you need only 3 hours from London to New York. That's fine. But how many hours do you need from Turkey/Greece to California ? And not playing on the West Coast isn't a solution. Why even bring European teams to the NBA when they will only be able to play against themselves and the East Coast teams ?

Then there's a time difference problem. Unless European teams play all the games at 12:00 PM ET or something like that only a little amount of European fans will watch them. NBA games are mostly around 1-2 AM in Europe,those played in the West Coast are mostly around 3-4 AM. Casual fans won't watch that shit,only maybe 5% of the fanatics will.

If you just think a little you could come up with more problems but those are the two most obvious ones. Unless we find a faster way to travel and manage to make a schedule in which both Americans and Europeans can watch games in normal time (not really late at night) having European teams in the NBA is just a dream.

Stop being a moron.

[Euroleague]

Duh what? NBA is almost the only global basketball anything. None of the other leagues come remotely close. Of course basketball is nowhere as global as football yet.


And I don't see why the time zone is brought up so often? If peopl want to see it then they will, here in HK people stay up until 1, 2, 3 am to watch European football matches. Ek I have friends in uk who wake up at 4 to watch NBA games.

It's NOT a global TV product. Just because it is on TV does not mean it is getting ratings. It's on TV in Europe and barely anyone at all ever watches it. When NBC used to broadcast Euroleague games, did that make Euroleague a global TV product? It was on in every single continent then.

Get serious.

[Pinkhearts]

LOL at faster travel

In case you didn't know, the Concorde is now out of service.

Newly designed planes are actually slower than the good old 747s. The trend is now slower more efficient planes with rising fuel prices

[Chapallaz]

NBA Europe (LOL) would probably be something like the EuroLeague now is. A seperate league.

And thus not needed. What WOULD be fun is a yearly NBA champions vs EuroLeague champions, or even a short tournament of the 4 top NBA teams vs the top 4 EuroLeague teams during the summer.

[gabepizza]

[QUOTE=Euroleague]http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/21492055/david-stern-says-for-sure-there-will-be-multiple-nba-teams-in-europe-in-20-years

By Royce Young | Blogger
January 3, 2013 2:55 pm ET

http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/visual/whatshot/72712_Stern.jpg
The NBA could be headed across the pond. (Getty Images)

David Stern is stepping down as commissioner on Feb. 1, 2014, which will mark exactly 30 years sitting on the NBA's throne.

It might sound a little crazy, but it shouldn't. Because it almost happened already with an expansion team in London. Via the Boston Globe:

There was a time when Stern had dreams of a team or even a division in Europe, a first in American sports. He was determined to devise a way for a group of teams in London, Rome, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, and Berlin to compete with the 30 stateside NBA teams and even have a real world championship series.

Regardless of how uncomfortable the idea made fans who believe 30 teams was enough -- and regardless of how inconceivable it might be to have a team in a time zone six hours ahead of the Eastern US -- Stern was going to add the London Abbeys to the NBA.

That idea died on the operating table though, because the international economy went rotten and because there aren't any NBA-style arenas overseas.

Which is why Stern put the 20-year timetable on it. Because within that time frame, someone is probably going to build an NBA arena with luxury boxes and concessions and 20,000 seats. Once that happens, an expansion team in London or Barcelona is probably an inevitability.

The NBA is already the second-most globalized game in the world behind soccer, so it's natural to try to expand its borders. There's money to be made internationally. And building a bridge between the NBA and Euroleague would certainly be an interesting evolution.

I know what you're thinking. How is this possible? How could the Trail Blazers take a road trip to Rome on the second night of a back-to-back?

[PsychoWorm]

Champions League would be a great idea but only if the NBA teams can't get away with all that traveling.

[Rooster]

NBA Europe (LOL) would probably be something like the EuroLeague now is. A seperate league.

And thus not needed. What WOULD be fun is a yearly NBA champions vs EuroLeague champions, or even a short tournament of the 4 top NBA teams vs the top 4 EuroLeague teams during the summer.

NBA Summer league team vs Euroleague elite would be more competitive.:applause:

[wang4three]

Rantings of a guy that's on his way out.

[Euroleague]

[QUOTE=Euroleague]http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/21492055/david-stern-says-for-sure-there-will-be-multiple-nba-teams-in-europe-in-20-years

By Royce Young | Blogger
January 3, 2013 2:55 pm ET

http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/visual/whatshot/72712_Stern.jpg
The NBA could be headed across the pond. (Getty Images)

David Stern is stepping down as commissioner on Feb. 1, 2014, which will mark exactly 30 years sitting on the NBA's throne.

It might sound a little crazy, but it shouldn't. Because it almost happened already with an expansion team in London. Via the Boston Globe:

There was a time when Stern had dreams of a team or even a division in Europe, a first in American sports. He was determined to devise a way for a group of teams in London, Rome, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, and Berlin to compete with the 30 stateside NBA teams and even have a real world championship series.

Regardless of how uncomfortable the idea made fans who believe 30 teams was enough -- and regardless of how inconceivable it might be to have a team in a time zone six hours ahead of the Eastern US -- Stern was going to add the London Abbeys to the NBA.

That idea died on the operating table though, because the international economy went rotten and because there aren't any NBA-style arenas overseas.

Which is why Stern put the 20-year timetable on it. Because within that time frame, someone is probably going to build an NBA arena with luxury boxes and concessions and 20,000 seats. Once that happens, an expansion team in London or Barcelona is probably an inevitability.

The NBA is already the second-most globalized game in the world behind soccer, so it's natural to try to expand its borders. There's money to be made internationally. And building a bridge between the NBA and Euroleague would certainly be an interesting evolution.

I know what you're thinking. How is this possible? How could the Trail Blazers take a road trip to Rome on the second night of a back-to-back?

You are a complete idiot if you actually believe that there are no 20,000 seat indoor arenas in Europe. The guy that wrote that, and Stern are total retards if they actually believe that.

Yeah sure the European continent does not have any 20,000 seat arenas.....

:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm

[CavaliersFTW]

LOL at faster travel

In case you didn't know, the Concorde is now out of service.

Newly designed planes are actually slower than the good old 747s. The trend is now slower more efficient planes with rising fuel prices
This.

Research isn't going into speed, and hasn't been since the concorde's failure to make an impact on the travel industry. Fossil fuels have become too expensive, and on top of that the operating costs of planes with extreme speed (maintenance etc) are too high. Now a days all research goes into fuel efficiency and economics. There will be no NBA-Europe in 20 years.

[Chapallaz]

NBA Summer league team vs Euroleague elite would be more competitive.:applause:
Most preseason games against European teams are close.

[Clutch]

[QUOTE=gabepizza]

You are a complete idiot if you actually believe that there are no 20,000 seat indoor arenas in Europe. The guy that wrote that, and Stern are total retards if they actually believe that.

Yeah sure the European continent does not have any 20,000 seat arenas.....

:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm
None of the Euroleague teams play in arenas with 20000 or more seats. The bigger ones have around 16000 capacity,I think the biggest one is from Panathinaikos with about 18500 seats. There are even some clubs that play in arenas with 5000 seats. And don't try to throw some bullshit around. People can easily check that on the Internet.

Just waiting for you to claim PAO plays in front of 40000 people every game :lol

[Rooster]

Most preseason games against European teams are close.

Preseason games means nothing. It's more for those borderline players trying to make the team. Beside a lot of Players are trying to get on basketball shape after summer vacation.

[Euroleague]

[QUOTE=Euroleague]
None of the Euroleague teams play in arenas with 20000 or more seats. The bigger ones have around 16000 capacity,I think the biggest one is from Panathinaikos with about 18500 seats. There are even some clubs that play in arenas with 5000 seats. And don't try to throw some bullshit around. People can easily check that on the Internet.

Just waiting for you to claim PAO plays in front of 40000 people every game :lol

How ****ing retarded are you? How the **** do the arenas Euroleague teams use translate to "Europe has no 20,000 seat arenas"?

Do you REALLY think that the ONLY arenas in Europe are ones that Euroleague teams use? What's your IQ? About 65?

And news flash genius, plenty of NBA arenas don't seat 20,000. So in the first place, they simply pulled that number out of their asses.

[Euroleague]

Preseason games means nothing. It's more for those borderline players trying to make the team. Beside a lot of Players are trying to get on basketball shape after summer vacation.

Right, that's why Phil Jackson and Doc Rivers were furious when their teams lost to European teams...........

:facepalm

[Chapallaz]

Preseason games means nothing. It's more for those borderline players trying to make the team. Beside a lot of Players are trying to get on basketball shape after summer vacation.
Usually the NBA teams playing the top european team in preseason play at 100%. Or as close as they can to 100%. Matter of pride and money. And we've seen teams playing their regular rotation lose to these teams as well. Clash of styles and some Players might not come prepared enough, mentally. Or sometimes a team like Madrid is just flat out better.

[Rooster]

Usually the NBA teams playing the top european team in preseason play at 100%. Or as close as they can to 100%. Matter of pride and money. And we've seen teams playing their regular rotation lose to these teams as well. Clash of styles and some Players might not come prepared enough, mentally. Or sometimes a team like Madrid is just flat out better.

At 100%. :oldlol: Please stop it. Yes most players would play to win for pride but at the end of the day it does not count. Different mindset for players who are not in basketball shape. Yes NBA teams have lost games. If you look at the history of NBA, the worst team that I have seen and I am talking about bunch of role players and scrubs put together still strung 17 wins. It happens

[Funnyfuka]

lol, there s just a problem tho... a major world recession that's going to last for at least a decade... if not two or three, and probably a world war following. Yeah one day everything will be standardized, unified, but not in a decade or 2... in 50 or 100 years from now if not more, depends how bad we re going to ruin the earth in the meanwhile and how long it will take to rebuild.

[Chapallaz]

At 100%. :oldlol: Please stop it. Yes most players would play to win for pride but at the end of the day it does not count. Different mindset for players who are not in basketball shape. Yes NBA teams have lost games. If you look at the history of NBA, the worst team that I have seen and I am talking about bunch of role players and scrubs put together still strung 17 wins. It happens
Is it THAT hard to realize loads of teams struggle against a team which is totally different from the regular NBA team standard in make up, play and strengths? It seems it is.

[lilgodfather1]

This fall imma take my talents to... Real Madrid and join the Real Madrid Silly Nannies. *cue Heat fans burning jerseys* Cavs fans laugh they asses off, and Euroleague dies from ejaculation.

[CavaliersFTW]

This fall imma take my talents to... Real Madrid and join the Real Madrid Silly Nannies. *cue Heat fans burning jerseys* Cavs fans laugh they asses off, and Euroleague dies from ejaculation.
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :applause: :applause: :applause:

post of the year!

[Killbot]

David Stern has already been senile.

[Rooster]

Is it THAT hard to realize loads of teams struggle against a team which is totally different from the regular NBA team standard in make up, play and strengths? It seems it is.

Of course the unfamiliarity of those teams is a factor but still most NBA teams beat European teams overall. Like I stated earlier, I have seen a worst team with worst talent put up 17 wins.

[BlazersDozen]

I'd rather see a team in Hawaii before I see a team in friggin Europe. NBA wants to do it so they can cash in on those flopping fines.

[La Frescobaldi]

Doesn't anyone this forum have any imagination?

Come on guys! The schedule would be a dream for the players. 2 week trip in Europe? 3 days off before the flight, 3 days off after returning, and 7 game road trip? It's stupid to think that can't be scheduled. Easily.

While 4 American teams are touring Europe, 4 teams from Europe are in America.

There's what? 17 two-week tours in a season October to May which means either a team or two has 2 road trips, or there's some bye weeks. Hello?

TV? Nobody ever heard of tape delay television?

Imagination!! Use a little vision here........ the World Finals are held each year on the flight deck of the U.S.S. Enterprise, in the center of the Atlantic, with a full Honor Guard lined on each side of the deck and F-22s flying overhead, Soviet missile subs on each side with flag salutes labeled AK47 and British, French, Italian destroyers sailing around, banners flying!!

Those little robot heli-cameras showing the court from every angle, and imagine the income from tickets on that bad boy cruise!

come on now! We can't have all that 'can't be done' crap of this thread.... that's downright un-American!

[Heavincent]

**** David Stern...and the horse he rode in on.

[Euroleague]

Doesn't anyone this forum have any imagination?

Come on guys! The schedule would be a dream for the players. 2 week trip in Europe? 3 days off before the flight, 3 days off after returning, and 7 game road trip? It's stupid to think that can't be scheduled. Easily.

While 4 American teams are touring Europe, 4 teams from Europe are in America.

There's what? 17 two-week tours in a season October to May which means either a team or two has 2 road trips, or there's some bye weeks. Hello?

TV? Nobody ever heard of tape delay television?

Imagination!! Use a little vision here........ the World Finals are held each year on the flight deck of the U.S.S. Enterprise, in the center of the Atlantic, with a full Honor Guard lined on each side of the deck and F-22s flying overhead, Soviet missile subs on each side with flag salutes labeled AK47 and British, French, Italian destroyers sailing around, banners flying!!

Those little robot heli-cameras showing the court from every angle, and imagine the income from tickets on that bad boy cruise!

come on now! We can't have all that 'can't be done' crap of this thread.... that's downright un-American!

You haven't realized yet that the average IQ in this forum is around 60?

[Chapallaz]

You haven't realized yet that the average IQ in this forum is around 60?
Quit dragging it down then mate.

[longtime lurker]

NBA fans to David Stern "Just die already"

[Shepseskaf]

You'd need an entire European division.
That's the only way this plan would have a chance of working. There would be a North American division and a European division.

The teams in the two divisions would never play each other during the season, but the champions from both would play in one location for the World Championship.