The NBA will head to the Middle East later this year, announcing today in a press release that the Bucks and Hawks will play a pair of preseason games in Abu Dhabi on October 6 and October 8, 2022.
The games will be the league’s first in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and in the Arabian Gulf.
The NBA’s foray into international markets for preseason games has been on hold during the last couple years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it appears it will resume this fall.
In 2019, the league played preseason games in India, Japan, and China. Since ’19, regular season games have also been played in England, France, and Mexico. The Spurs reportedly hope to play more regular season home games in Mexico during the next couple seasons.
As Jim Owczarski of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel details, commissioner Adam Silver was asked last month about playing in the UAE despite the country’s human rights record, and acknowledged it was a “fair question.”
“We look at many different factors in terms of how we travel, bring our games,” Silver said. “But our ultimate goal is to bring our games to everywhere around the world. There are lines we draw, but we’re an American company and usually we allow those lines to be drawn by our government. Whoever happens to be our administration gives us direction on where they think it’s appropriate for us to operate and not operate.”
Just another attempt from the Saudis to present a glitzy international stage, meanwhile they’re stoning to death people in football stadiums for pre-marital relations… Not surprising but very disappointing.
You’re correct, but this is the UAE, not Saudi Arabia.
Sorry, was half awake.
They’re financially and politically linked though.
Seems like a perfect time for pride night.
The only thing I learned from this announcement, is that according to followers of the Bucks FB fan page, this is what caused the team to completely wilt in the 4th quarter last night..because they should be focusing on the game, not announcements for international preseason games next fall..or something.
Facebook has devolved into a cesspool
I briefly considered trying to explain that the players and coaches most likely had no involvement in the decision to play these 2 games, then I realized it’s the same bunch that asks daily why a certain player is circled on the Brewers page lineup card.
“We look at many different factors in terms of how we travel, bring our games,” Silver said. “But our ultimate goal is more money” -Adam Silver
The NBA would play anywhere for the right amount of money and the UAE is willing to pay big dollars for PR.