As the National Basketball Association continues to build its already tremendous brand, the league announced that two games will be played outside the United States and Canada next season.
According to ESPN, the San Antonio Spurs are set to square off against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 4, 2013 in Mexico City while the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks will meet at London's O2 Arena on January 16, 2014 as part of the NBA Global Games London. This will be the first time in the history of the league that 2 regular season games will be played outside of the United States and Canada in the same season.
RELATED: Is The NBA Fixed? Many Followers Of The League Seem To Think So
The 12th game to be hosted in London, the Nets and Hawks should provide fans in attendance with some top-level basketball since both teams advanced to the playoffs last season with Brooklyn losing to the Chicago Bulls in the opening round and Atlanta falling in six games to the Indiana Pacers. Excited about the opportunity for the league, players and fans, Commissioner David Stern feels the National Basketball Association is reaching a wider fan base by branching out certain games to different countries each season.
"With the addition of regular-season games in London and Mexico City, we will play one of the most comprehensive international games schedules in our history next season," Stern said to FOX News. "Through these games, we will bring the NBA experience to more fans and provide showcases for basketball and the extraordinary talent and athleticism of our players."
RELATED: Jason Kidd Hired As Brooklyn Nets Head Coach: Top 5 Coaches In Sports Age 40 And Under [PHOTOS]
Atlanta Hawks president Danny Ferry also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play in London next season since it will give the city and the organization more notoriety.
"Playing in London will be a special experience for our players and coaches," Ferry said in a statement issued through the team website. "We are proud to represent Atlanta in front of an international audience."
While Brooklyn and Atlanta should enjoy monumental success overseas, the defending Western Conference champion Spurs won't have to travel far when they take on the young and talented Minnesota Timberwolves in December. Set to play a regular season tilt on the hardwoods of the Mexico City Arena on December 4, San Antonio will provide fans in attendance with some of the most balanced basketball in the league thanks to veterans Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
RELATED: NBA Finals: LeBron James And The Miami Heat Win Their Second-Straight Title, Defeating The San Antonio Spurs 95-88
Recently falling to the Miami Heat in a seven-game NBA Finals series, the Spurs showed they can still compete at a high level despite the rising age of many members of the team. In addition to the aforementioned trio, Timberwolves workaholic Kevin Love will be on display as he continues to develop into one of the best big men in the league. With the obvious location favoring the Spurs given that San Antonio is close to the Mexican border, Spurs Sports and Entertainment President of Business Operations Rick Pych notes that the entire organization is excited about this opportunity.
"Given the deep-rooted Mexican heritage of San Antonio and our proximity to the Mexican border, Mexico City is an ideal location for us to play our first regular season game outside of the United States and Canada," Pych said in a statement. "The NBA is a global game and this is a terrific opportunity to reach a new group of fans and have them experience Spurs basketball."
Adding these two contests to the NBA's global schedule for 2013-2014 brings the league's number to 12 teams playing a combined 10 regular season and preseason games in 10 cities across seven different countries and territories.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
