France and the NBA have announced a partnership to promote basketball in Africa
PARIS, January 19, 2023
The President of France Emmanuel Macron and the NBA Commissioner Adam Silver today announced a partnership that includes a series of initiatives aimed at bringing attention to basketball through France and in Africa at all levels. The French government and the NBA will form a working group in liaison with the Fédération Française de BasketBall (FFBB) to promote this project, with the aim of creating an official partnership to be announced in Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Gameswhere basketball will be one of the flagship sports.
President Immanuel Macron, Adam silver, score TatumNBA Deputy Commissioner, Joe DumarsNBA Head of Basketball Operations, and Jean-Pierre Siutatpresident of FFBB, met yesterday in Paris before the NBA Paris Game 2023 Presented by Nikethat will see the Chicago Bulls, six-time NBA champions, and the Detroit Pistons, three-time NBA champions, in the second regular season game of the league in Paris today at 9 pm
The French government and the NBA plan to work together on the following initiatives:
- The NBA and the LNB, the professional basketball league in France where the French star is currently playing and the best prospect for the NBA Draft 2023 Victor Wembanyama, will share their business and sports experience that will help develop LNB and its teams, as well as deepen their commitment to the fans of France. NBA and LNB will also explore the possibility of hosting exhibition games and side events involving NBA, LNB and Basketball Africa League (BAL) teams, players.
- In the view of Paris 2024 Olympic GamesFrance and the NBA will organize basketball development programs in France, interactive events for fans with the presence of players who will share their NBA experience directly with fans in Paris.
- The NBA and the FFBB will continue to promote their basketball development program that has reached more than a quarter of a million young French people over the past decade, specifically through the program. Jr. NBA Challenge Benjamin(e)s.
- France and the NBA plan to invest more in basketball infrastructure in Africa, including multi-purpose facilities that can host BAL and NBA games, which will support the economic growth of communities on the continent of Africa.
“I am delighted and proud of the NBA’s choice to make France and Paris one of its favorite stadiums in the world.“, said Emmanuel Macron. “This reflects France’s long-standing special relationship with the NBA. Thanks to the quality of our training, the performance of our national teams and the hosting of the Paris 2024 Games, we now have the opportunity to go further and enter into a beneficial and lasting partnership for the benefit of French basketball, as well as also in support of our development policy in Africa. I am pleased with this cooperation, which will bring joy to basketball fans and players in our country and contribute to our project to make France a great sports nation.“
“It is a great honor to work and develop a partnership with the NBA“, said status. “The French Federation has already created programs for young people 10 years ago. Our national teams are doing well and basketball in France is growing. Now is the time to go to a higher level and we believe there is an opportunity for our sport, especially at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris next year. We are very proud to announce this collaboration. I want to thank Adam Silver and the president Macron for their support.“
“We are honored to work with the President Macronthe French Basketball Federation and the LNB to continue the great rise of basketball and the NBA in France“, said Adam Silver. “President Macron shares our vision and believes in the power of basketball to inspire and unite communities. We see enormous potential to develop basketball and capitalize on the sport’s economic opportunities in France and Africa.“
The NBA Paris Game 2023 Presented by Nike will be broadcast live on beIN SPORTS, on Canal+ on clear and on NBA League Pass at 9 pm (French time), reaching fans in more than 200 countries and territories on television, digital media and social networks.
The NBA and Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the French public development bank dedicated to financing and providing technical assistance to projects that improve the lives of people in developing territories, are working together to promote African integration in by building basketball infrastructure and organizing youth basketball programs, events and initiatives in selected African countries.
With 9 representatives this season, there are more NBA players from France than any other country outside of North America.
