| NBA Plans to Build Arenas in China The National Basketball Association and billionaire businessman Philip Anschutz’s AEG entertainment firm plan to develop and operate at least 12 arenas in China. Construction is to be financed mainly by China’s local governments. The arenas will provide the basis for an NBA-branded league in China. NBA commissioner David Stern said, “China is an enormous market with enormous potential, not only for basketball but for general entertainment.” AEG now operates more than 90 major arenas worldwide, including the Lakers’ home arena, the Staples Center in Los Angeles and London’s O2 arena. The NBA has planned to expand operations in China for nearly 30 years, and now has 100 employees, 15 partners and 30,000 NBA brand retailers. Furthermore, there are many basketball fans in China. |
