Former NBA star and current executive Derek Fisher sees value in the league’s potential expansion into Saudi Arabia, he told Arabian Business, ahead of the 2024 NBA Abu Dhabi games which are set to take place next month.
Fisher, making his first trip to the UAE in October, spoke candidly about the NBA’s global growth strategy in an interview.
When asked about plans to expand the NBA’s presence in Saudi Arabia, Fisher carefully stated, “That’s Adam Silver’s or Mark Tatum’s question,” referring to the NBA Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner respectively.
However, he added, “there’s no reason why we shouldn’t have NBA basketball growing everywhere, because it literally changes people’s lives.”
This cautious yet optimistic response comes amid growing speculation about increased investment in basketball within the Kingdom, with sources suggesting that the NBA may be eyeing Saudi Arabia as its next frontier in the Middle East.
Fisher praised the UAE’s investment in sports development, highlighting the positive impact it has on youth. “Basketball and sports in particular create so much opportunity for young people all over the world,” he said. “We’re thankful that so many businesses are starting to invest in sports, in the NBA particularly.”
The upcoming NBA Abu Dhabi Games, featuring the 2023 NBA Champions Denver Nuggets and the 2024 NBA Champions Boston Celtics, are set to take place on October 4 and 6 at the Etihad Arena in the UAE capital.
The former NBA star shared his excitement for the event and highlighted basketball’s transformative power in the Middle East.
“The NBA goes all out to make sure that it’s a great experience for everyone. Basketball is one part of it, but it’s also some of the fan interaction opportunities and the other activations around the game that make it really special,” he said.
Fisher sees these events as more than just basketball games; he described them as “a celebration of NBA basketball and continuing to spread it around the world.”
This comes as Saudi Arabia continues to bolster its investment in sports, with significant contributions to golf, football, and Formula One, as well as hosting events like the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, all part of its Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy and enhance its global image.
Tickets for “NBA Fan Appreciation Day in Abu Dhabi” and “NBA District” are currently available. You can purchase tickets for The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024, presented by ADQ, on Ticketmaster and Etihad Arena‘s websites.
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