In a recent conversation with Rich Kleiman, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban reignited a long-standing debate: should the NBA step out of FIBA’s shadow and build its own international showcase?
“I was always a fan of the NBA taking the soccer approach to the Olympics,” Cuban said. “We should create our own World Cup, but every time I brought it up to Adam [Silver] or David Stern, well, our deal with FIBA doesn’t preclude it. And then all of a sudden, they renew their deal with FIBA without talking to the owners about it. It’s riskier to try to build your own league as opposed to trying to build a super event.”
Cuban’s comments highlight the tension between the NBA’s enormous global influence and its reliance on FIBA for international competition. While FIBA controls the Olympic and World Cup pathways, the NBA remains the world’s most powerful basketball property — and potentially has the muscle to create its own global super-tournament.
Why This Matters?
If the NBA were to create its own “World Cup of Basketball,” the ripple effects would be immense.
- Commercial Ownership: The NBA could control broadcast, sponsorship, and ticketing rights directly, capturing revenues that currently flow through FIBA.
- Global Brand Expansion: A standalone tournament could supercharge the NBA’s global footprint, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Europe, where basketball is growing fast.
- Athlete Alignment: Top players often juggle grueling NBA seasons with national-team commitments. A league-controlled event could streamline scheduling, guarantee insurance, and increase player buy-in.
- FIBA Disruption: Such a move would weaken FIBA’s hold over international basketball, reshaping governance structures much like the UEFA–FIFA relationship in football.
- Risk Factor: Building a new competition from scratch requires trust among owners, players, and international partners. Without global federation recognition, the NBA risks creating a split ecosystem.
For leagues and federations worldwide, Cuban’s perspective offers a critical insight: sports properties are no longer bound to legacy governance. If they command global fan attention, they can — and perhaps should — consider creating proprietary events.
The Big Question?
If the NBA did create its own World Cup, would it enhance basketball’s global growth — or fracture the sport’s international unity?
That’s the strategic dilemma. And it’s exactly where conversations in boardrooms are heading.
Want to explore how shifts like this could reshape global sport? Let’s talk
Don’t Just Watch Sport, Understand It. Join the 365247 Newsletter for daily insights
For brands, agencies and services
IMAGE: LAPRESSE
