The Nets travel overseas more than any other team in the NBA and export the league to the world more than any other team.
Brooklyn is scheduled to play Cleveland at the Accor Arena in Paris on Thursday, and their globetrotting ways won't change anytime soon.
“The Nets, in particular, are incredibly willing to play games outside of the United States. They are the team that plays the most games outside of the United States, either as the Brooklyn Nets or obviously in the past as New Jersey.”NBA Vice President George Ivazoglu said. The head of fan engagement told the Post. This trip shows that that may continue. “Yes, that's definitely a sign. We feel incredibly fortunate that the Nets, and a team like the Nets, were able to show that strong will.
“That's happening for a number of reasons. Obviously, the team and executives also have a very international orientation. Their marketing content is being created in [mind of a] worldwide fan base. It's also a great representation of Brooklyn in its own right. Brooklyn is very diverse, with many different cultures, ethnicities, and nationalities living in Brooklyn. So I think they should embody that.
“And it shows in the numbers. The Nets' global fan base is in the tens of millions. [over] 50 million is amazing. They're in the top three teams here in France, and if you look at all countries outside of the United States, they're in the top 10. In other words, the plans and efforts they put into place paid off tremendously. ”
The Nets have played 23 league games outside the United States and Canada, more than any other NBA team.
Their travels have included not only France, but also China, England, Israel, Italy, Japan, and Mexico.
The upper management team remains very international, with owner Joe Tsai, CEO Sam Zussman and general manager Sean Marks all born overseas.
The Nets may have a hard time gaining a foothold in the city against the more established Knicks, but they have 53.6 million fans overseas.
NBA League Pass ranks 5th in unique viewers from overseas, 8th in favorites and follows on the NBA app from outside the U.S., and 9th in Instagram followers from overseas.
Thursday's visit to Paris is another step to continue that.
Nets assistant Will Weaver will partner with NBA Basketball Operations to lead a coaching clinic to teach local junior NBA coaches the best techniques to develop their teams and players.
This is a homecoming for Weaver, who spent last season as Paris Basketball's head coach in LNB Pro A of the French First Division.
“Obviously, I can’t wait to do this clinic with Coach Weaver,” Ivazoglou told the Post. “We've put together what we think will be the biggest and strongest Junior NBA Week ever. Throughout this week, we've engaged with over 4,000 boys and girls, and we've also basically coached them and helped them… I will teach you how to play the NBA.”
Manager of the French First Division. NBAE (via Getty Images)
The Nets will partner with the league, city, Paris Basket 18 and Levallois Sporting Club to welcome 50 young women from Paris Basket 18 to the Junior NBA Clinic at the Palais des Sports Marcel Cerdan.
The team will also open a Brooklyn-themed pop-up pizzeria at 5 rue Fontaine-aux-Roi in the 11th arrondissement, and players will participate in an orchestral tribute to Notorious BIG at Théâtre du Châtelet. .
Growing the game in France is a top priority for the NBA. Basketball is the second most popular team sport there (he ranks first among women), and the country has more players in leagues than any other country except the United States and Canada.
“This region is one of our biggest markets, and outside the region as well,” Aivazoglou told the Post. “It's for a few different reasons. The first is the great basketball culture and tradition here.”
The Nets are always the first to step up and cultivate the international market.
The same goes for Thursday.
