The Utah Jazz is casting its web huge for worldwide gamers.
“We have scouts all over the world — almost every basketball country throughout the world,” Danny Ainge, the group’s CEO and governor, advised CNBC’s “Halftime Report” on Friday.
The 2-time champion of the Nationwide Basketball Affiliation and former NBA All-Star highlighted having scouts in nations all through South America, Europe and Asia, in addition to each area within the U.S.
“It’s a worldwide sport, and we got to find them all,” he stated.
His remarks come after the NBA introduced in October that a record 125 international players — 5 of which had been on the Utah Jazz — had been on opening-night rosters for the 2023-24 season. These gamers hailed from 40 nations and territories throughout six continents, with a file from Canada at 26 and France at 14.
All 30 NBA groups characteristic at the very least one worldwide participant this season.
Worldwide ticket gross sales additionally noticed a 120% increase from final season, in response to StubHub. Followers are touring from a complete of 92 nations to North American video games, which is up from 68 nations final season.
Ainge joined the Utah Jazz as CEO in December 2021 after main basketball operations for the Boston Celtics for 18 years.
Utah Jazz’s valuation at the moment sits at $3.09 billion, in response to data from analysis agency Statista. This marks a 52.59% improve from final yr and a 76.57% improve for the reason that yr Ainge joined the franchise.
