NBA executives are set to meet African government leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week as the league pushes forward with plans to sell up to 10 permanent Basketball Africa League franchises to private investors, sources familiar with the process told Sports Business Journal.
Initial bids received in June came from Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa, with multiple offers exceeding $50 million. Those figures are understood to be the largest proposed investments into basketball on the continent. The NBA's aim during the New York meetings, which begin Tuesday, is to share its BAL vision with African officials before advancing talks with priority bidders.
The BAL has run for six seasons as a touring league co-operated by NBA Africa and FIBA, with 12 teams from 12 African nations qualifying each year. Under the new model, permanent franchises would be phased in from the 2027 season, eventually growing to 10 privately owned sides playing home-and-away fixtures, while the 11th and 12th teams continue to qualify annually.
NBA and FIBA have appointed Moelis & Company to manage the sales process and vet prospective buyers, prioritising markets with infrastructure readiness, financial capacity and sports management expertise. The franchise pool is expected to include former BAL clubs, new entrants and soccer brands launching basketball sides.
According to BAL figures, 2026 set records for attendance, viewership and social media engagement. More than 110,000 fans attended games in South Africa, Morocco and Rwanda, while contests reached audiences in over 200 countries and territories, including all 54 African nations. Free over-the-air broadcasts delivered 600 million unique viewers across the continent, a 15 percent year-on-year increase.
