After six seasons as competition wey dey waka from place to place, di Basketball Africa League fit enter new phase. According to Sports Business Journal, di NBA dey push plan to sell up to 10 permanent BAL franchises give private investors.
NBA ogas wan take chance of di UN General Assembly for New York dis week to meet pipo from several African gomments. Di meeting na to show di new vision for di BAL before dem continue to yarn wit di main bidders.
Di first offers wey dem submit for June come from Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa, and plenti of dem reportedly pass $50 million, wey be among di biggest money wey anybody don ever propose for African basketball.
Di BAL don dey organized by di NBA and FIBA together since dem start am, wit 12 teams from 12 countries dey qualify every year for competition wey dem dey play for different host cities. Dat format go change from 2027 season, as di NBA dey plan to bring permanent franchises one by one while dem still keep di touring schedule, before dem settle for championship of 10 teams wey private pipo own and dem go play for dia own ground and go away.
Two places still dey to dey given every season through qualifying, so total go remain 12 teams wey get 10 permanent franchises as base — semi-closed model wey resemble di one wey dem dey plan for NBA Europe. Investors fit take over di BAL clubs wey dey already, support new teams or create brand new franchises, while football clubs or big brands for di continent fit start dia own basketball side.
