Basketball is considered as the global game, and with the upcoming NBA Finals, it quite reflects that notion.
On the court, the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks combine to roster a NBA Finals-record thirteen international players, three more than the previous record of ten back in 2013. This is a reflection of the continued growth of the game globally, with 125 international players from forty countries making the opening night rosters.
Five come from the Celtics: Oshae Brissett (Canada), Al Horford (Dominican Republic), Svi Mykhailiuk (Ukraine), Kristaps Porziņģis (Latvia) and Neemias Queta (Portugal).
Eight come from the Mavericks: Luka Dončić (Slovenia), Danté Exum (Australia), Josh Green (Australia), Kyrie Irving (Australia), Maxi Kleber (Germany), AJ Lawson (Canada), Dwight Powell (Canada) and Olivier-Maxence Prosper (Canada; BWB Americas 2019; BWB Global 2020; NBA Academy Latin America).
In addition, a few of the Mavericks international players have participated in the Basketball Without Borders program, which is a collaborative grassroots effort between the NBA and FIBA: Green (BWB Global 2018), Lawson (BWB Americas 2017, BWB Global 2018), and Prosper (BWB Americas 2019, BWB Global 2020). Prosper, in fact, is a product of the NBA Academy Latin America before becoming a student-athlete in the US NCAA.
The 2024 edition, which is presented by YouTube TV, will reach fans in 214 countries and territories through a variety of platforms, coming in sixty languages.
Thirteen international broadcast networks are set to provide live on-site commentaries, including representation from Brazil, China, France, and Spain, among others. Expect these groups to have locally-relevant Finals programming alongside their in-language commentary.
The league will also have watch parties in place across certain venues worldwide, with places like Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Singapore, and South Africa. A few of these location might have an appearance by a NBA legend, as well as the hosting of youth basketball clinics.
On social media, the NBA is considered as a behemoth. Over 2.3 billion likes and followers worldwide across all of its league, team, and player platforms. 75% of that numbers comes from outside the United States. Video views from the league's social media platforms as well as on its app reached 26 billion.
Cignal, who is the NBA's broadcast partner in the Philippines, recently announced that it is set to broadcast the entirety of the NBA Finals on RPTV, starting with Game 1 earlier today.
Aside from RPTV, it is also set to broadcast the games on One Sports, NBA TV Philippines, and online via Pilipinas Live.
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