Going global: Kings, Pacers to play first ever NBA games in India next preseason
The NBA is a global brand, the highest level of basketball played anywhere on the globe. The NBA owners see growth potential in that (read: $$$$) and so the NBA has made a conscious push into China, Europe, Mexico and other markets around the globe, often bringing preseason games to those countries (or, in Mexico City, regular season games).
Now add India to the list.
The Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings — a team owned by Indian-American Vivek Ranadive — will play the first two NBA games ever in India next preseason. The games will be played Oct. 4 and 5 at the NSCI Dome in Mumbai.
“The Sacramento Kings are proud to be playing in the first NBA games ever held in India,” Ranadive said. “As an Indian-American, it is an honor to help bring this historic moment to the country where I was raised. The sport is experiencing tremendous growth in India and we are excited about continuing to expand the NBA’s reach to fans across the globe. The world wants to watch basketball and India is a fast-growing new frontier.”
Ranadive bought the Kings in 2013, keeping the team from moving to Seattle, and since then has worked to grow the sport in his native land. He has helped arrange the broadcast nearly 140 Kings games in India, he has promoted the team on social media such as Facebook (535,000 likes for the Kings), and he has brought a Bollywood night to Sacramento.
For the NBA trying to grow a fan base in India, this cannot be just a game, there will be interactive fan activities, Jr. NBA youth basketball programming and NBA Cares community outreach events. The game also will be broadcast live in India.
Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 2500 Location: Inland Empire
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2018 9:39 pm Post subject:
Imagine if you had the Kings do a back to back in Denver after this?
Bye. _________________ "This trophy removes the most odious sentence in the English Language. It can never be said again that 'the Lakers have never beaten the Celtics.'" -Dr. Jerry Buss (1985) R.I.P., 33 x M.V.O.
By the way, Anthony Davis is also sick. He wasn't at shootaround today and was resting up.Tania Ganguli added,
Brad Turner
@BA_Turner
Luke Walton said both Tyson Chandler and Zubac had to get IVs today and JaVale McGee is “still out” recovering from flu-like symptoms.
11:24 AM - 21 Dec 2018
Brad Turner
Luke says LeBron wasn’t at shootaround because he was home sick. Hrs getting rest at home
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