NBA Africa is the African branch of the U.S.-based National Basketball Association (NBA) basketball league organization, which focuses on its business interests on the African continent. The entity was established in 2021 and co-organizes the Basketball Africa League (BAL), together with FIBA, among other activities.[1]
| Industry | Sports (Basketball) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2021 |
| Headquarters | Block 3, Fenbridge Office Park, Randburg, 2194, , South Africa |
| Parent | National Basketball Association |
History
editThe National Basketball Association (NBA) had already been active on the continent, and opened its first African office in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2010.[1] The league had already established a youth academy with the NBA Academy Africa, which opened in 2017, and is located in Senegal. The NBA organized exhibition games in Africa in 2015, 2017 and 2018, with African players competing in the friendly games.
The initial strategic investors included the Yinka Folawiyo Group, Helios Fairfax Partners Corporation (HFP), and Helios Investment Partners.[1] Other investors include former NBA players Joakim Noah, Luol Deng and Grant Hill, among others.[1] Former U.S. president Barack Obama is a minority partner and strategic advisor for the organization.[2] The NBA valued the organisation at $1 billion in 2021.[3]
NBA Africa has since then opened offices in Nairobi, Kenya,[4]
It also invests in infrastructure projects on the continent, investing in outdoor courts as well as the construction and renovation of indoor arenas.[5] It opened it first basketball school in Giza, Egypt, in 2024.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "NBA forms new Africa entity and partners with strategic investors". NBA.com: NBA Communications. 2021-05-24. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ Young, Jabari (2021-07-27). "Former President Barack Obama is now a minority owner in NBA's Africa business". CNBC. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ Young, Jabari (2021-05-24). "NBA forms Africa business entity valued at nearly $1 billion, luring players and investors". CNBC. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ Sport, Capital (2023-11-30). "NBA Africa opens new office in Kenya, first one in East Africa". Capital Sports. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ "Photos: Inside revamped Lycée de Kigali Gymnasium – Rwanda Basketball Federation". rwanda.basketball. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ AfricaNews (2024-06-24). "The first NBA school in Africa to launch in Egypt". Africanews. Retrieved 2024-09-19.