NBA could play regular-season games in London prior to Olympics

Oct 12, 2008 - 9:27 PM By Ian Parker PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

LONDON (Ticker) -- The NBA may play "a minimum of one" regular-season games in London in the build-up to the 2012 Olympics, commissioner David Stern said on Sunday night.

Stern was in town to watch the New Jersey Nets beat the Miami Heat, 94-92, in a sold-out exhibition game at the O2 Arena, and used the trip to promise the NBA will look to strengthen its ties with Great Britain in the next four years and help grow the game.

Stern outlined plans to help Great Britain put a competitive team on the court in 2012, but also wants to build enthusiasm around the game.

The NBA has visited London in each of the last two years as part of NBA Europe Live. As recently as Friday, Stern said there were no plans to take the relationship to the next level and play regular-season games, but he changed his tune on Sunday.

"If I can be a bit mischievous, I can say that it has been suggested to us that we should schedule in the next three years or so regular-season games here, more than just one, on a regular basis in the light of the success we've enjoyed here," he said.

"I think we'll see a minimum of one, maybe more, before 2012."

Last month, Great Britain qualified for the European Championships, a key step along the way to earning the right to compete in 2012.

"We were very encouraged by the fact that Team GB qualified for EuroBasket, which I think is a terrific opportunity," Stern said.

"We look forward to seeing the sport grow in the run up to 2012, and we've offered our help in any respect possible."

That could see British players head to the United States to play games during the NBA's summer league as China did in the run up to this year's Games in Beijing.

Teams from the NBA's Development League could also travel across the Atlantic to provide opposition for Great Britain in friendly games.

"It's the same type of thing we have extended to other countries because we love to grow the sport of basketball," Stern said. "We have a great opportunity here."