• Loading stock data...
Sunday, January 12, 2025

NBA’s French Connection: Paris Game and Wembanyama Mania

  • The Chicago Bulls take on the Detroit Pistons in the 12th ever Paris Game on Thursday.
  • France is home to generational talent Victor Wembanyama and the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

On Thursday, for the first time since 2020 and the 12th time in its history, the NBA will play a game in France when the Chicago Bulls take on the Detroit Pistons from Paris’ Accor Arena. It will also be the league’s 94th game in Europe — the most for any region outside North America.

The anticipation has been immense — but it’s everything that will happen for basketball in France after the game that everyone is waiting for.

That’s because generational prospect Victor Wembanyama could become the first French player to be selected first overall in the upcoming 2023 NBA Draft.

“I’m expecting his impact on the game of basketball, the NBA, and the fandom in France to be significant,” the NBA’s head of fan engagement and DTC for Europe and the Middle East George Aivazoglou told Front Office Sports. “We expect to see an acceleration in terms of fandom, followers, and, of course, the commercial KPIs that usually follow a player who performs at that level — if he performs at the expected level.”

NBA Ensures Fans Can Watch Every Victor Wembanyama Game

The NBA app will stream his French league games for free.
October 27, 2022

The league has already made efforts to showcase Wembanyama in the United States by streaming all of his 2022-23 French league games through its official app — but the 19-year-old sensation’s immense impact will build on an already burgeoning basketball fanbase in Europe.

  • Tickets to the 2023 Paris Game sold out in a matter of minutes, per the NBA.
  • The league has made games easier to watch than ever through partnerships with local and regional partners across the continent and access for fans to NBA League Pass.
  • Many European players are the “protagonists” of their teams, as Aivazoglou puts it, which makes it easier for European fans to invest their attention.

Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo (2019, 2020) and Serbia’s Nikola Jokic (2021, 2022) have won the last four NBA MVP awards. Jokic (+115) and Slovenia’s Luka Doncic (+275) are the current betting favorites to win the award in 2023.

These uniquely skilled players, Wembanyama included, are helping to dictate how the modern game is played — turning them into superstars.

“I think it’s the evolution of the game of basketball itself,” says Aivazoglou. “Faster pace, a lot more shooting, a lot of emphasis on offensive plays. And some of these players that come from these markets, they have the physical and technical skills, and the talent, to really stand out.”

San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns players run past half court in front of NBA Mexico City game logo in 2019

Can International Growth Spark NBA’s 1st Mexico Franchise?

The Spurs and Heat play the league’s 31st Mexico game on Saturday.
December 16, 2022

But Wembanyama isn’t the only draw to France for basketball fans. Paris will host the 2024 Summer Olympics, bringing the extremely popular Olympic men’s basketball tournament.

The NBA is preparing for the inevitable marketing opportunity.

“It’s very likely that we want to be present again, both potentially with another game in Paris, and then maybe with a series of fan events underpinning that game as part of our regular-season Global Games,” Aivazoglou says. “But also experiential presence with fan events happening during the summer.”

The league is still finalizing its plans in France for next year, but for now, it will simply be content to put on the best show possible Thursday in Paris.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Feb 15, 2022; Beijing, China; Reira Iwabuchi (JPN) in the women’s snowboarding big air finals during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Big Air Shougang.

Could $3.6 Million Cost Salt Lake the 2034 Olympics?

The U.S. decided not to pay its dues to the global anti-doping machine.

NBA’s Game of the Year Draws 1.87 Million, Up 8% on Season..

The NBA is averaging 1.72 million viewers per game this year.
JJ Redick

Steve Kerr, JJ Redick Among Sports Figures Who Lost Homes in L.A...

Kerr said his family had owned the home since the 1960s.
President Joe Biden celebrated the 2024 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 30, 2024.

U.S. Government Didn’t Pay 2024 Dues to World Anti-Doping Agency

Michael Phelps testified against WADA in Congress this summer.

Featured Today

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) knocks the ball out of the hands of Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) and returns the fumble for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl Classic during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January, 10, 2025.

College Football Is Closer Than Ever to Perfecting the Championship Process

Despite valid criticisms, the first expanded Playoff is working.
Jan 2, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman (R) reacts on the sidelines in the final minute against the Georgia Bulldogs during the fourth quarter at Caesars Superdome.
January 9, 2025

Amid Realignment Mania, Notre Dame Stayed Independent. It Paid Off

How the CFP semifinal-bound Fighting Irish made their business model work.
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a first-down catch against Oregon during the 2025 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
January 3, 2025

The Biggest Changes to College Sports Are Coming in 2025

Sweeping developments could affect the college sports foundation this year.
Dec 31, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) walks out to the rink before the Winter Classic against the St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field
January 1, 2025

Glitzy NHL New Year’s Eve Winter Classic Showcased Connor Bedard’s Star Power

The business of Bedard—on full display—is crucial for the NHL.

Premier League Transfer Spending Has Already Topped $2 Billion As Deadline Looms

Saudi Pro League teams haven’t yet matched their English counterparts.
August 11, 2024

Passing of the Torch: Los Angeles Set for Olympic Firsts in 2028

The city last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984.
Paralympics Tiktok
August 25, 2024

The Wildly Successful Paralympics TikTok Account Isn’t What You Think

A cheeky TikTok account is opening the world of Paralympic sports.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
August 1, 2024

Saudi Arabia Submits Bold World Cup Bid That Includes a Cliffside Arena

The Saudis are proposing a new stadium in a futuristic city called Neom.
John John Florence (USA) surfs in men’s round two competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tsurigasaki Surfing Beach.
July 29, 2024

Olympic Surfers Won’t Get Their Full Paris Moment

‘We’re kind of separate off on our own little thing over here.’
Teahupo'o Tahiti Surfing
July 26, 2024

Olympic Surfing Crashes on Tahiti Like a Wave

For Teahupo‘o’s locals, the Olympics are a mixed blessing.
July 25, 2024

Olympics: Despite Concerns, Star Athletes and Paris Spark Hope

Hope rises for a resurgent event after two pandemic-marred Olympics.