The NBA as we know it, could have a totally different look and feel to it if Adam Silver has it his way. The NBA Commissioner took the game to London on Thursday where the Milwaukee Bucks hammered the New York Knicks. When commissioner Adam Silver addressed the media, Silver said that while the NFL is closer to expansion in London, he would want to see four NBA franchises in Europe and that is the league’s “manifest destiny” to expand.
It will be easier logistically for them [the NFL] to pull it off. It would be difficult for us to have one team in Europe. We’d have to put both feet down. That would mean having four franchises in Europe. … We’re not there yet. I know that as much growth as we’ve seen, we have a long way to go before we can sustain four franchises in Europe. On the other hand, I believe it’s our manifest destiny to expand.
Michael McCann of Sports Illustrated weighs in on the impact of the NBA’s desire to expand to Europe:
I expect Seattle will get an NBA team before a city in Europe, but if NBA announces expansion, competition for a team could span continents.
— Michael McCann (@McCannSportsLaw) January 15, 2015
I struggle to see this ever happening. A trip from a European city to L.A. or Portland would cost a lot. Scheduling conflicts, the time of games and travel would really have to be worked out first.