NBA executives dey plan to meet African government officials during di United Nations General Assembly for New York as di league dey push dia effort to sell permanent Basketball Africa League franchise give private investors, according to Sports Business Journal. Di NBA plan to sell as many as 10 franchise.
Prospective investors from Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa submit first batch of bid for June, with plenti offers pass $50 million, di publication report. Di NBA hire investment bank Moelis & Company to advise on top di sales process and check di prospective owners and markets.
Di BAL, wey NBA and FIBA create, finish im sixth season for 2026 and e currently get 12 teams through domestic qualification and FIBA Road to BAL tournament. Under di proposed model, 10 private-owned teams go get permanent place for di league from 2027, while two extra teams go still qualify through annual competition.
NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum don tok say di league want investors to build long-term operations and support local arena development. Di BAL clubs wey don dey before, newly created teams, and basketball division wey established football clubs launch fit pursue permanent franchise.
Di BAL say pass 110,000 fans attend games during 2026 season for South Africa, Morocco and Rwanda, with di league record pass 1.1 billion social media views and 22 commercial and institutional partners. Di NBA plan to discuss dia franchise strategy with African officials before dem continue negotiation with preferred bidders, with government cooperation fit influence venue development.
