The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has said he aims to build on the growing success of basketball and announced his desire to bring more NBA games and activities to the capital. He met NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum to discuss their shared ambition to expand the sport’s reach and influence in the capital, including through live NBA games. A taskforce will be created to grow the game in London.
The BBF and BE, the governing bodies which are responsible for the game from entry level to international competition, have partnered successfully with the Mayor on initiatives including the London Coaches Program, through which Basketball England and the NBA have collaborated to train hundreds of coaches and boost participation. In July, British Basketball worked with the London Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit in an initiative which demonstrated the game’s unique attraction for young people and its power to help them make positive choices in their lives.
“Basketball is a global powerhouse and a local community asset. It’s time to unlock the game’s full potential in generating social and economic benefits, and we’re delighted that the Mayor and his team will be taking the lead in elevating London as a basketball hub.
“At international level, we have the opportunity to build on the success of this Summer’s games against Germany and South Sudan, and are already committed to coming back to the Copper Box for our men’s EuroBasket qualifier against Greece in November. As well as bringing NBA games back to the capital, we’re looking forward to hosting FIBA* tournaments and to seeing successful men’s and women’s club teams competing in domestic and European leagues.”
“Basketball is England’s second most-played team sport, and nobody doubts its popularity amongst Londoners. There are many examples across the city of the speed at which investment in facilities and coaching can deliver benefits.
“We’re delighted at this opportunity to build on our partnership with the Mayor of London, the NBA and others to ensure that every neighbourhood has what it needs to welcome existing and new basketball players, fans and volunteers.”
Basketball is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK and is the country’s second most popular team sport with more than 1.5m playing on a weekly basis.*
Khan has pledged to create a first-of-its-kind basketball taskforce to develop and grow the game, boost access to basketball, attract new events to London, including the return of NBA games, and create positive opportunities for young people. The taskforce will bring together leaders in sport, business, national governing bodies and professional basketball teams and players, and the Mayor has invited senior figures from the NBA to participate.
“It was great to meet with NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum to discuss the possibility of bringing more NBA games and activities to London and how we can further expand the game in the capital. Basketball continues to go from strength-to-strength and by creating a new taskforce I want to help it grow even further, enabling more young people to access and enjoy the sport.
“London has provided the stage for so many unforgettable sporting moments and I’m committed to making sure we further cement our position as the sporting capital of the world. I look forward to working closely with the NBA and other global sports to extend their activities in London and ensure we continue to have a packed calendar of world-class sporting events."
“The NBA has a long history of playing games in London, and we are committed to further growing the game in the city and across the UK. Through grassroots programs for youth and coaches, weekly games that air in primetime on TNT Sports, the beautiful new NBA Store on Oxford Street and more, there has never been a better time to be an NBA fan in London. We look forward to working more closely with Mayor Khan and his administration to build on these efforts in the years to come.”
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