While basketball is more of an international game than football or baseball, the NBA hasn't gone to as great of lengths to expand the game across the globe. That may be changing, however, as the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons are set to play each other at an international venue on Jan. 17, according to Keith Langlois of Pistons.com.
Not only will that be great for the NBA, but it will be a positive for the Knicks as well. The team has a lot of buzz surrounding it after finally getting back to the playoffs last season and it has a massive fanbase in the United States. There isn't really a team that takes precedence over any other across the world, but perhaps the Knicks can become that team.
According to Al Iannazzone of New York Newsday, the Knicks vs. Pistons game will take place in London, England. That is even better news for the Knicks since the city is hosting the Olympics this summer and will probably still be basketball crazy in the winter after watching Team USA.
Even though the Knicks had to labor to make the playoffs with stars like Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler last season and haven't been a top contender in over a decade, they are among the most popular teams in basketball. Playing a game in London could lift the franchise to even greater heights, though.
Melo has been lighting it up for Team USA during the exhibition slate and Chandler promises to be a key figure for the team in London as well, so the British fans will likely have a connection with the Knicks before they even play a game there next year. With that in mind, they are the perfect choice to showcase on the international stage.
The premier franchises in the NBA in terms of marketability are probably the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, but I don't get the feeling that they are huge across the globe in the same way the Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees are. The Knicks may be able to become equally popular if they captivate the London crowd, however.
While the Knicks are going to be profitable regardless, it is always nice to have a following that expands beyond the United States. It may take years for this to develop, but if young international players grow up following and rooting for the Knicks then they are more likely to want to play for them in the future.
It may not have a tangible impact that will be noticed right away, but having the Knicks play a game in London can only have positive results. It's not as if the Knicks are losing a home game out of the deal either since the Pistons will technically be designated as the home team, but there is little doubt that the crowd will favor New York.
I'm not a fan of American leagues talking about expanding to Europe, but playing a handful of games overseas is certainly a lucrative endeavor. Playing in London will be good for the NBA as a whole and it will be great for the Knicks, as it it always beneficial to garner a wider and more diverse fanbase.
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