Former NBA All-Star Danny Ainge sees demand for international players

The Utah Jazz is casting its internet broad for worldwide gamers. 

“We’ve got scouts everywhere in the world — virtually each basketball nation all through the world,” Danny Ainge, the staff’s CEO and governor, informed CNBC’s “Halftime Report” on Friday.

The 2-time champion of the Nationwide Basketball Affiliation and former NBA All-Star highlighted having scouts in international locations all through South America, Europe and Asia, in addition to each area within the U.S.

“It is a worldwide sport, and we obtained to seek out all of them,” he stated.

His remarks come after the NBA introduced in October {that a} file 125 worldwide gamers — 5 of which have been on the Utah Jazz — have been on opening-night rosters for the 2023-24 season. These gamers hailed from 40 international locations and territories throughout six continents, with a file from Canada at 26 and France at 14.

All 30 NBA groups characteristic a minimum of one worldwide participant this season.

Worldwide ticket gross sales additionally noticed a 120% enhance from final season, in response to StubHub. Followers are touring from a complete of 92 international locations to North American video games, which is up from 68 international locations 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 present sits at $3.09 billion, in response to information from analysis agency Statista. This marks a 52.59% enhance from final 12 months and a 76.57% enhance for the reason that 12 months Ainge joined the franchise.