From Victor Wembanyama's juggling skills to LeBron James' investment in Liverpool, the NBA is witnessing a surge in players who are passionate about soccer. This trend reflects a growing admiration for the sport and its global influence, with many NBA stars seeking to connect with it on and off the court.
San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama stood outside in the rain on a cold Paris night. He wore a parka, a hooded sweatshirt, jeans and sneakers. And then he spent a few seconds showing off his skills. A basketball was not involved. Wembanyama — like so many others in the NBA — is obsessed with soccer. He was one of the star attractions at a Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City earlier this week.
The way clubs there have in-season tournaments was part of what convinced NBA Commissioner Adam Silver that such an event would work in his league. The tournament, now called the NBA Cup, has been a smash success in its first two seasons. Even now, with the NBA in talks with FIBA and other entities about new collaborations for basketball in Europe, Silver is pointing to soccer as an example of what could work.
NBA SOCCER LEBRON JAMES VICTOR WEMBANYAMA PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN FOOTBALL BUSINESS COLLABORATIONS
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