Sands China Is Bringing the NBA to Macau
The NBA is significantly advancing its presence in Macau. Sands China is set to host NBA games in Macau starting in 2025, as part of a multiyear agreement marking the league's return to the Chinese market after several years of absence.
The NBA logo on the facade of its official store on Beijing's Wangfujing shopping street. (Source: AFP)
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:Reuters reports that the deal involves two pre-season games each year for the next five years, to be held at the Venetian arena, a major property operated by Sands China in Macau. The first games, scheduled for October 2025, will feature the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns.
Local media reports confirm the agreement, with NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum stating that the pre-season games will become a regular feature at the venue. A source close to the matter corroborated the reports, though the NBA has not yet issued an official statement.
While China has recently hosted NBA-related events such as celebrity games, including one planned for this weekend at the Venetian, the upcoming pre-season games mark a more formal and recurring presence for the league in the region.
The NBA's return to the Chinese market comes after a prolonged absence stemming from a controversy in 2019. The incident was sparked by a tweet from then-Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey expressing support for anti-government protests in Hong Kong.
The tweet led to a suspension of NBA broadcasts in China, the withdrawal of corporate sponsorships, and significant financial losses for the league. Pre-season games in China were also canceled during this period. The announcement of the Macau games signals a new chapter in the NBA's relationship with the region.
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Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai, who is also the chairman of Chinese technology giant Alibaba, commented earlier this year that the controversy had been resolved and expressed optimism about bringing NBA games back to China and Macau. His involvement, combined with the new deal, underscores efforts to rebuild ties between the league and the Chinese market, a significant revenue source for professional basketball.
Macau's economy has historically relied heavily on the gaming industry, which contributes approximately 80% of the region's tax revenue. Sands China's Venetian arena, a key component of Macau's integrated resort offerings, provides a prime location for hosting major international sports events like the NBA pre-season games.
However, the arrival of the NBA aligns with Macau's broader economic diversification strategy. The government's development blueprint focuses on expanding non-gaming sectors such as tourism, culture, sports, and technology.
Macau aims to increase the proportion of its GDP derived from non-gaming industries to 60% by 2028, compared to 50% in 2019 before the pandemic. Hosting NBA games is part of this vision, leveraging sports and entertainment to enhance Macau's appeal as a global destination for leisure and events.
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