Commissioner Adam Silver on Thursday offered Asha to the cities launching the NBA franchise, stating that the league should “discover” expansion.
Silver addressed the media in its annual state -of -the -art talks before game 1 of the NBA final between Indiana pacers and hosts Oklahoma City Thunder.
Regarding adding teams, Silver said, “I don’t think it is automatic, as it depends on your attitude on the future of the league. As I have said earlier, a kind of expansion is selling equity in the league. If you believe in the league, you do not necessarily want to add partners.
“On the other hand, we believe that the United States and other places have undested markets – I think markets that deserve NBA teams. Perhaps even though we were to expand, more than what we can serve.”
In terms of potential expansion places, Silver said, “There is no lack of interest. I have essentially told people from many different cities, ‘We are not engaged in that process right now.’
“I want to be fair for everyone. So I don’t want to hold meetings with nothing else. So if we were to say yes, we are now going to a more formal discovered phase. We will take those meetings, and in addition we will join with external advisors who will see markets, see economic opportunities and media opportunities, etc.”
The NBA has not expanded with the then Charlotte Bobcats before the 2004-05 season. The Las Vegas and Seattle are widely seen as top goals for future teams, also in a potentially mix with Mexico City.
Silver addressed many other subjects:
When a part of regular-season injuries speculated about cutting the regular session of the 82-game of NBA, silver dismissed the perception of a mild program.
“Part of money, there is no question about it,” Silver said. “We are a business. By saying that, I do not really see the benefits to reduce the number of sports. People used to say that you should reduce the number of sports because it will reduce many injuries. We have no data to give this suggestion. …
“Injuries are considered below this playoffs, which have historically become our second lowest in 10 years. So we now have a very healthy team coming in the finals.”
Following the success of 4 nations of NHL, NBA is likely to switch to the nationality-based format for the 2026 all-star game in English, California.
“I don’t think a straight USA vs. world understands,” Silver said. “It’s not what he did in NHL, either. Perhaps there will be a different team that we make.”
Given that the 2026 game will be played between the Winter Olympics in Italy, Silver said, “I think we can play that nationalism. … I think there is a real opportunity to create increased interest from players and increased competition.”
-Liver appreciated the fact that NBA is being crowned its seventh separate champion in seven years.
He said, “We are ready to create a system that allowed more competition around the league, 30 teams for the target are in a position, if well managed, to compete for the championship,” he said. “And that’s what we are looking here. …
“The goal is not necessarily a separate champion every year. This is, as we said earlier, equality of opportunity.”
-Bield level media
