Continental Basketball Association Scores Global Joint Venture with British Basketball Association
Published on January 24, 2007 under Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release
ALBANY, NY (January 24, 2007) - The Continental Basketball Association today announced that it has entered into a partnership with the The British Basketball Association (BBA) aimed at developing players and raising the profile of the British game ahead of the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The BBA/CBA partnership will focus on increasing player, coaching and officiating standards as well as grassroots development of the next generation of British basketball talent. Other areas of concentration will include joint promotion, sponsorship marketing, media coverage, access to foreign talent and international competition. Importantly, the partnership will benefit from each group's talents in the areas of corporate finance, business strategy and basketball operations.
Professional basketball in the United Kingdom has been in a state of decline over the past five years resulting in lower overall attendance and decreased player standards. The current professional league has experienced financial and operational difficulties leading to the departure of franchises in key markets.
Commenting on the announcement, BBA Chief Executive Ron Scott said, "We have always stated our objectives are to leverage our network and business experience in order to bring better basketball to Great Britain. Partnering with the CBA with their established platform and record of achievement will give BBA clubs access to the advice, ideas and guidance required to build successful businesses."
Ricardo Richardson, Chief Executive of CBA Properties, LLC said, "Our new direction at the CBA is to develop and market basketball on a global level by working closely with countries that have rich potential and a passion for sport. Working with the BBA and Great Britain as a whole presents us with an exceptional opportunity to use our talents and experience to help build a professional league which will become one of the most competitive in Europe".
The CBA is the world's oldest professional basketball league and is currently entering its 61st year of operation. It is registered with USA Basketball and FIBA and has standing agreements with all major global leagues in the world for the development of players, coaches and management executives. Over 600 players and coaches have been called up to the NBA since 1979. Several high profile coaches and players are currently serving in the NBA including Phil Jackson, Maurice Cheeks, George Karl, Bruce Bowen, Earl Boykins and Avery Johnson.
The BBA, based in London and New York, was formed last year by a consortium of British and American businessmen including technology entrepreneur Ken Olisa and former Los Angeles Laker AC Green.
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from January 24, 2007
- Third quarter lifts Yakama over Xplosion, 108-98 - Pittsburgh Xplosion
- Continental Basketball Association Scores Global Joint Venture with British Basketball Association - CBA 1
- Xplosion's Pittsnogle named to CBA All-Star team - Pittsburgh Xplosion
- Four Alley Cats Named to the American Conference All-Star Team - Indiana AlleyCats
- CBA's American Conference All-Stars announced - CBA 1
- CBA Weekly - CBA 1
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