Adam Silver Flirting with FIBA Possibilities?

You know your league is international when one of the worst franchises in your league still manages to pop up at the Olympics. Dwyane Wade spotted a Charlotte Hornets jersey on the day of Team USA vs. Puerto Rico. Although it wasn't a current player, the sentiment remains the same.

The NBA is where the late great David Stern hoped it would be when the 1992 Dream Team dominated their international competition, leading to a global influence for generations to follow. Adam Silver, looking to expand on what his successful predecessor wanted for the NBA, also wants the maximum dollar attached and eyes to come with it.

Silver opened up about recent conversations with FIBA officials.

“Again, it reminds me just what the opportunity really is here,” Silver said.

The question now is how to best utilize that opportunity. The NBA is ramping up talks with FIBA, the sport’s global governing body, on how to best increase its competitive footprint in Europe either through an annual tournament or an NBA-operated league," Silver said Friday in an interview with The Associated Press.

As the dispute with Warner Bros. Discovery fades, talks of expansion will likely increase. For now, though, the NBA must focus on finishing the current TV deal and preparing for its future media partners, NBCUniversal and Amazon Prime Video.

The NBA has China and Africa as successful basketball projects. A potential partnership with Europe seems the most fruitful for talent and financial success.