Basketball is experiencing significant growth worldwide, with new teams and leagues emerging. However, the trend of shorter player shorts continues.
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According to a Nielsen Sports survey conducted in 18 countries on behalf of FIBA, basketball ranks as the world’s second-favorite sport, trailing only soccer. Interest in the game increased from 68% in 2019 to 74% in 2023 among those surveyed.
On the NBA's opening night last season, 135 international players from 43 countries participated, showcasing the global reach of the league. The NBA is also planning to launch a new league overseas, called NBA Europe, which is projected to start in 2028, as reported by The Guardian.
In addition to the NBA's efforts, other basketball initiatives are gaining traction in the United States. The WNBA reported its best regular-season viewership since 2000, with plans to expand from 12 teams to 18 teams by 2030, according to Sports Business Journal.
College basketball is evolving, too. Starting next year, both the men’s and women’s postseason tournaments will increase from 68 to 76 teams, pushing the limits of traditional bracket formats.
New leagues are also appearing, such as Ice Cube’s BIG3, a three-on-three basketball league that launched in 2017 and has gained a valuation of approximately $290 million. Recently, the three-on-three women’s league, Unrivaled, raised funds at a valuation of $650 million, nearly double its worth from the previous year.