Partners sign up for NBA’s first Africa game

Numerous partners, including sportswear company Nike and Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa have signed up as partners of the NBA North American basketball league’s first game in Africa on August 1.

South African Airways, sub-Saharan pay-television broadcaster SuperSport, telecommunications company Econet and radio station 947 have also agreed partnerships ahead of the game on August 1 at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The agreements were struck with the NBA and the NBA Players’ Association, which are co-hosting the game between Team Africa and Team World. The game will be shown live on SuperSport.

“This is an historic moment for the NBA and the sport of basketball in Africa, and we are excited to work with such a broad range of partners to make this game possible,” said Amadou Gallo Fall, the NBA’s vice-president and managing director of Africa. “The game will impact young people throughout the continent, both on the court and in the community, as we bring some of the world’s most recognisable athletes to Johannesburg to celebrate our long tradition in Africa.”

Team Africa, comprising players from Africa and second-generation African players, will feature NBA stars such as Luol Deng, Serge Ibaka and Gorgui Dieng. Team World, comprising players from the rest of the world, will feature the likes of Chris Paul, Bradley Beal and Kenneth Faried.