NBA is under threat. And it’s from someone very close to LeBron James! Well, there has been constant buzz about the league’s significant decline in viewership. As of last month, their TV ratings were down 17% year-over-year. Adding to the concerns, LBJ’s business partner and longtime pal, Maverick Carter, is working closely with other investors to raise $5 billion. The reason? To create an international hoop league in competition with the NBA. Obviously, Adam Silver needed to respond to this threat to reassert his dominance. And he did it by announcing a massive business decision!

Well, the NBA is currently in Europe for the Paris Games, led by the hometown star, Victor Wembanyama. His Spurs were scheduled to play two regular season games in Accor Arena against the Pacers, one of which took place last night. But it was what Silver said before the game that caught everyone’s attention, “We are looking very closely to see if there’s an opportunity to professionalize the game to another level here, to create a larger commercial opportunity.” Yes, the Commissioner is planning a huge expansion in Europe.

Even veteran reporter Brian Windhorst confirmed it on NBA Today, “Adam Silver stood behind me just an hour or so ago and basically announced that the league is seriously considering making an invasion into Europe and beginning a whole standalone league here. It’s not a final decision yet, but he came right up to the precipice of it.”

Well, it was only last year that the entire world was left buzzing after the thrilling gold medal game between USA and France. And it happened in Paris. Sure enough, Silver realized the potential the continent has in terms of expansion, and now, he has the perfect young star to market his idea. Victor Wembanyama!

Victor Wembanyama gets Unprecedented push from Adam Silver as NBA’s Europe Invasion begins

Sure, there have been many great players who have come out of Europe. Dirk Nowitzki, Nikola Jokic, and the list goes on. But no one comes close in terms of popularity to Wemby. Maybe, it’s the social media era or just his unique skillset, but The Alien is one of a kind. And Silver knows it. Windy remarked, “There is no push like we’ve seen for a European player like we are seeing for Victor Wembanyama right now. And they believe it’s the future.”

The strategy was evident when two back-to-back Spurs games were scheduled in Paris. And the grandeur of the event made it seem a lot more than regular season games. Windhorst deemed it, “All-Star weekend on foreign soil built around one player.” Moreover, Wemby is not shying away from the spotlight as he said, “It’s definitely special. It’s like coming home to thousand relatives all around. So, it feels good… I’m embracing it for sure.”

Well, if and when Silver’s vision to start a standalone league in Europe comes true, Wemby would play a massive role in marketing the venture. As of now, Silver is still in discussion with FIBA and other authorities and there is no telling when the new league will commence, “We have no agreements in place. We’re not ready to make any additional announcements and we’ll continue to learn all we can and to see if there is a path to move forward.”

However, Silver needs to act fast because Maverick Carter is ready to bring in more competition for the league. And he already has the backing of ex-Facebook executive Grady Burnett, Skype co-founder Geoff Prentice, and more such giants. Of course, LeBron is not part of the project despite being Carter’s business partner. Surely, the expansion to Europe will boost NBA’s global popularity and likely keep such threats at bay. Do you agree?