Japan Invests More Than a Team in the IBL
Published on March 6, 2012 under International Basketball League (IBL) News Release
Vancouver, Wash.: With the partnership of Dream 7 the International Basketball League has authentically caught the attention of the world wide basketball community, particularly one of the fastest growing markets. Japan has two major professional leagues, the BJ League and Japan Basketball League (JBL).
"With the IBL we will expand our knowledge, experience and history in professional basketball. We are building good opportunities for the people of Japan and all Asian Countries balancing relationships through partnerships the IBL has with the USBA aligned with the CBA and KBL, working with the European leagues and coming together to compete. We will grow the IBL in Japan as a stage to showcase, train and take our players game to the next level, with the ultimate goal of placing an athlete in the NBA. Supporting our strategy and excited to keep building, Akiyama-San will continue building the bridge for us as a part of the Dream 7 executive in the US," Dream 7 CEO Tatsumi Nishida shared about the new partnership with the IBL.
The agreement was signed with Dream 7 CEO, Tatsumi Nishida, Advisor, Gary Akiyama, IBL Owner, Bryan Hunter and the Commissioner of the IBL, Sharleen Graf with BJ League VP and Senior Managing Director, Tatsuya Abe looking on. Meetings continued during a Trailblazers versus Thunder game at the Rose Garden in Portland to continue developing the partnership between the IBL and Dream 7.
"We are very proud of the partnership with Dream 7 and to be an integral part of growing professional basketball in Japan as well as other Asian Countries. This is an expanded relationship which opens the opportunities for leagues and teams to work together, providing owners, players and coaches with highly competitive, collaborative environments to get noticed. Basketball is an international language we share and look forward to continuing the conversation," was the message IBL Commissioner, Sharleen Graf shared with the audience at the Portland Trailblazers game while meeting with Dream 7 and the BJ League.
For a few years now the Vancouver Volcanoes have maintained a relationship with the Japanese through Gary Akiyama, Volcanoes minority owner and Dream 7 executive. The Volcanoes took their team overseas for exhibition games and camps each summer, and all stakeholders are re-engaged by the expanded partnership.
"The partnership with Dream 7 is a big step towards giving the IBL a truly International presence. With this partnership we have positioned the league as the premier stepping stone for graduating college players to continue playing overseas," stated League investor and Vancouver Volcanoes owner, Bryan Hunter.
International Basketball League Stories from March 6, 2012
- Japan Invests More Than a Team in the IBL - IBL
- IBL Announces League Schedule for 2012 Season - IBL
- Bellingham Slam Announces 2012 Season Schedule - Bellingham Slam
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