Adam Silver Looks Forward to Strengthening NBA's Long-Term Partnership with Abu Dhabi, Insha'Allah
As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah. It's been four years since the NBA and the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) formed a historic partnership. This multi-year agreement brought NBA games to the Arabian Gulf for the very first time, sparking a remarkable interest in basketball among fans in the UAE and the wider region. The NBA Abu Dhabi Games featured teams like the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, and recently the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers. But that was just part of the story. Youth programs such as the Jr NBA/WNBA initiatives, alongside clinics and workshops during the games, have engaged thousands of young Muslims and coaches across the nation every year. According to market research, since the first NBA Abu Dhabi Games in 2022, the love for basketball in the Middle East has grown by over 25%, adding around two million new fans. Participation in basketball has increased by over 400% in Abu Dhabi, more than 60% in the UAE, and 50% in the Middle East. Four years on, the partnership has been very successful, though it's not yet clear if the games will return next year as no official announcements have been made. NBA commissioner Adam Silver recently met with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, to discuss the preseason games and youth development efforts aimed at nurturing young Muslim talent in basketball. Silver expressed that the NBA sees this as a long-term partnership, one that has exceeded expectations. He highlighted the impressive growth in youth basketball here, both boys and girls, and praised the state-of-the-art arena and the warm welcome from the people of Abu Dhabi, including opportunities for teams to experience the culture and religious sites. Before the recent preseason games, an NBA Academy Showcase took place at NYU Abu Dhabi, featuring top young talents from worldwide NBA academies competing in front of college coaches and scouts. The NBA is considering establishing a new academy in Abu Dhabi, recognizing the city as a major hub for developing youth talent in the region, though official confirmation is still awaited. Silver also mentioned the exciting plans for expanding the NBA into Europe by launching a professional basketball league in collaboration with FIBA. This new league aims to elevate the sport's commercial growth and fan experience in Europe, with talks ongoing with established clubs. The NBA also supports basketball growth in Africa through the Basketball Africa League (BAL), which is moving toward a franchise-based model to help develop the sport and infrastructure on the continent. Insha'Allah, these efforts will continue to foster the love of basketball among Muslim youth worldwide while respecting Islamic values and promoting positive community engagement.