By ASVG Media
NBA executives are expected to meet African government leaders during the United Nations General Assembly as the league advances plans to sell as many as 10 permanent Basketball Africa League franchises to private investors. Initial bids reportedly emerged from Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa, with multiple offers exceeding $50 million—potentially the largest proposed basketball investments in African history. The BAL could begin introducing permanent franchises during its 2027 touring season before transitioning toward a home-and-away competition featuring 10 privately owned teams and two annual qualifiers. Moelis & Company has been appointed to manage the process, with priority expected for markets offering strong infrastructure, investment capacity, sports-management expertise and sustainable franchise-development potential.
The move follows record 2026 growth, including more than 110,000 spectators, an estimated 600 million unique free-to-air viewers across Africa, 1.1 billion social-media views and 22 commercial and institutional partners. If successfully executed, permanent franchises could transform the BAL from a traveling tournament into a collection of valuable African sports businesses—creating opportunities across team ownership, arenas, media rights, sponsorship, merchandise, hospitality and athlete development.
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