1 00:00:00,600 --> 00:00:03,280 Speaker 1: This is the Bloomberg Business of Sports show. I'm Mike 2 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:06,200 Speaker 1: Lynch along with Scarlett Foo and today we're joined by 3 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:10,880 Speaker 1: Victor Williams. He's the chief executive officer of NBA Africa. Well, Victor, 4 00:00:10,920 --> 00:00:13,560 Speaker 1: welcome to the show. I'm going to overlook the fact 5 00:00:13,600 --> 00:00:15,840 Speaker 1: that you were a Lakers fan growing up because I'm 6 00:00:15,880 --> 00:00:18,040 Speaker 1: talking to you from Boston up here, so we don't 7 00:00:18,040 --> 00:00:20,319 Speaker 1: want to get off on a bad start here in this. 8 00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:23,439 Speaker 1: But tell us all about the Basketball Africa League for 9 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:26,360 Speaker 1: although the uninitiated who may have just been hearing about 10 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:29,440 Speaker 1: this league for the first time. Michael Scott, great to 11 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:32,919 Speaker 1: be on and thanks for having me. So the Basketball 12 00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:36,680 Speaker 1: Africa League is um. It's really the first time the 13 00:00:36,760 --> 00:00:42,000 Speaker 1: NBA has done a professional league outside of North America 14 00:00:42,800 --> 00:00:48,080 Speaker 1: and we started it too. Really UM create a full 15 00:00:48,159 --> 00:00:52,640 Speaker 1: pathway for Africans who loved the game and want to 16 00:00:52,720 --> 00:00:55,720 Speaker 1: play it at the highest professional level to be able 17 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:58,600 Speaker 1: to go from learning the game at a grassroots level, 18 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:04,160 Speaker 1: two playing it at a professional level on the continent 19 00:01:04,240 --> 00:01:07,880 Speaker 1: and without having to go elsewhere. So the way we've 20 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:11,720 Speaker 1: structured it is that it is a league of African 21 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:18,800 Speaker 1: champions and African champions of domestic leagues from twelve different 22 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:25,120 Speaker 1: countries qualified to play in the Basketball Africa League and UM. 23 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:29,800 Speaker 1: We just announced last week that in twenty two we'll 24 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:34,759 Speaker 1: play our season over three months in three different locations. 25 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:40,039 Speaker 1: So we'll play the first round of the season in Dakar, 26 00:01:40,200 --> 00:01:44,319 Speaker 1: Senegal and March, will play the second round in Tyro 27 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:47,440 Speaker 1: Egypt in April, and we'll play the finals in Kegali, 28 00:01:47,560 --> 00:01:53,640 Speaker 1: Rwanda in um in May. This will be the second 29 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:56,680 Speaker 1: season of the Basketball Africa League. We played the first 30 00:01:56,720 --> 00:02:00,760 Speaker 1: season in a bubble in Kigali, Rwanda in Mayo of 31 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:03,920 Speaker 1: this year, so this is very exciting. Obviously a lot 32 00:02:03,960 --> 00:02:07,480 Speaker 1: to look forward to here. In explaining the structure of 33 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 1: NBA NBA Africa, I wonder how much it is similar 34 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:15,519 Speaker 1: to or different from uh NBA China, which is now 35 00:02:15,560 --> 00:02:18,400 Speaker 1: a five billion dollar business. I know Adam Silver, the 36 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:21,520 Speaker 1: Commissioner of the NBA, has said that the current enterprise 37 00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:24,480 Speaker 1: value of NBA Africa is almost one billion. So obviously 38 00:02:24,480 --> 00:02:28,239 Speaker 1: this is a smaller, younger, newer entity. But if you 39 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:32,080 Speaker 1: could compare and contrast NBA Africa to NBA China, I'd 40 00:02:32,160 --> 00:02:37,120 Speaker 1: love to hear the parallels. So the business in China 41 00:02:37,160 --> 00:02:40,400 Speaker 1: obviously is um. You know, it's done very well over 42 00:02:40,400 --> 00:02:45,400 Speaker 1: the years, and when the NBA looked at the potential 43 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:49,560 Speaker 1: for adding to our growth internationally, Africa made a lot 44 00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:52,760 Speaker 1: of sense, UH for a number of reasons. One, we 45 00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:56,360 Speaker 1: know there's a lot of basketball interest and passion on 46 00:02:56,360 --> 00:03:01,720 Speaker 1: the continent. We see that in how well basketball ranks 47 00:03:01,960 --> 00:03:06,880 Speaker 1: in interest across various countries. Were also see that in 48 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:10,800 Speaker 1: the number of African players and players of African heritage 49 00:03:10,840 --> 00:03:14,680 Speaker 1: who are currently in the league. UM it's a young, 50 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:22,400 Speaker 1: growing population that is increasingly adopting technology and so UM 51 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:26,919 Speaker 1: we believe that by investing in our activities in the continent, 52 00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:30,640 Speaker 1: we can grow them over time to be you know, 53 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:35,200 Speaker 1: a meaningful part of our business. UM in many ways, 54 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:38,920 Speaker 1: the activities that will be pursuing in Africa and that 55 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:42,800 Speaker 1: we're already pursuing you know, spand the same breath as 56 00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:46,880 Speaker 1: what we do in China as in will be investing 57 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 1: in growing the game at the grassroots level, will be 58 00:03:51,080 --> 00:03:56,760 Speaker 1: investing in span engagement, increased marketing and brand building. Will 59 00:03:56,800 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 1: be broadening our television distribution across the continent. Will be 60 00:04:03,960 --> 00:04:10,440 Speaker 1: um UH looking to extend the NBA brand through merchandizing 61 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 1: and licensing, as well as other areas that we believe 62 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:18,680 Speaker 1: have potential for growth. I think the one thing that 63 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:20,480 Speaker 1: we're going to do in Africa and that we are 64 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:23,640 Speaker 1: doing in Africa that we haven't done in China is 65 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:27,400 Speaker 1: to actually create a league on the continent. And so 66 00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:31,000 Speaker 1: that is one aspect that makes our business in Africa 67 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:37,040 Speaker 1: distinct or different from what we've historically done in China. So, Victor, 68 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:39,760 Speaker 1: it sounds like your previous life as a banker has 69 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 1: properly prepared you for this new role. Is that an 70 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:48,359 Speaker 1: accurate statement. It's definitely helps. Um. You know, as a banker, 71 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:51,599 Speaker 1: and I've been a basketball fan for for a very 72 00:04:51,600 --> 00:04:54,880 Speaker 1: long time, but as a banker, you spend a lot 73 00:04:54,920 --> 00:05:00,359 Speaker 1: of time working with UH your clients on develop uping 74 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:06,720 Speaker 1: strategies and thinking about ways to execute that strategy, assessing 75 00:05:06,760 --> 00:05:09,880 Speaker 1: how to you know, what the impact of the strategy 76 00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:15,040 Speaker 1: is going to have on their business from a financial perspective. UM, 77 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:20,200 Speaker 1: you're building relationships, you're putting teams together and leading teams, 78 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:27,760 Speaker 1: and you're generally helping clients grow their businesses and their brands. 79 00:05:28,279 --> 00:05:31,520 Speaker 1: Part of my career as a bank was working in Africa, 80 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:36,719 Speaker 1: and leading businesses across the continent as an executive of 81 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 1: a banking business, and so I became quite familiar with 82 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:46,880 Speaker 1: working across many countries on the continent, building businesses, entering 83 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:52,000 Speaker 1: new markets, and all of those skills and those experiences 84 00:05:52,240 --> 00:05:54,680 Speaker 1: have really stood me in good stead and what we're 85 00:05:54,680 --> 00:05:57,600 Speaker 1: doing in NBA Africa so far. Yeah, I'm sure you've 86 00:05:57,600 --> 00:06:01,320 Speaker 1: had to tap your roller dex or your digital reducts really, UM, 87 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:05,400 Speaker 1: when it comes to UM broadcast plans and making sure 88 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:08,560 Speaker 1: that you've got distribution deals for the league, can you 89 00:06:08,600 --> 00:06:11,240 Speaker 1: talk a little bit about whether TV and radio are 90 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:13,839 Speaker 1: still the standard here or are you looking for a 91 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:18,240 Speaker 1: more digital online presence to drive and be Africa and 92 00:06:18,240 --> 00:06:23,880 Speaker 1: and the and the Basketball Africa League. Yeah, great question. UM. 93 00:06:23,960 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 1: So we find that UM really television is really important 94 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:37,240 Speaker 1: still in in these markets. So today we have our 95 00:06:37,279 --> 00:06:42,600 Speaker 1: games carried on UM modern fifty countries on the continent 96 00:06:42,880 --> 00:06:49,480 Speaker 1: through partners UM such as ESPN that are present on 97 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:55,560 Speaker 1: pay TV channels on the continent. What we are looking 98 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:58,520 Speaker 1: to do and working really hard to do, is to 99 00:06:58,640 --> 00:07:02,080 Speaker 1: broad in a distribut you sean on free to air 100 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:07,880 Speaker 1: channels as well, because those reach millions more Africans um 101 00:07:08,120 --> 00:07:11,280 Speaker 1: and as we want to grow the popularity of the 102 00:07:11,360 --> 00:07:16,280 Speaker 1: game make um NBA basketball one of the top sports 103 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:20,280 Speaker 1: lifestyle brands on the continent. It's important that people be 104 00:07:20,320 --> 00:07:23,640 Speaker 1: able to access our game, um you know, really without 105 00:07:23,720 --> 00:07:27,800 Speaker 1: paying for it, simply by switching on their television. Digital 106 00:07:28,560 --> 00:07:33,000 Speaker 1: is key to the growth of you know, media and 107 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:36,800 Speaker 1: content businesses going forward. And there's a league we're looking 108 00:07:36,840 --> 00:07:41,440 Speaker 1: to enhance our digital distribution and Africa is no exception 109 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:45,920 Speaker 1: and so UM we are um you know, part of 110 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:51,880 Speaker 1: our goals to build a meaningful direct to consumer digital 111 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:57,480 Speaker 1: distribution business. And in Africa most people are using smartphones 112 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:02,440 Speaker 1: and so UM geting our game onto the smartphones across 113 00:08:02,440 --> 00:08:05,880 Speaker 1: the African continent is we think a huge opportunity and 114 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:08,480 Speaker 1: will be working hard in that victor. Where did the 115 00:08:08,480 --> 00:08:10,800 Speaker 1: players come from our twelve teams, I'm going to assume 116 00:08:10,880 --> 00:08:13,960 Speaker 1: roughly at players in the league, are they all from 117 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:20,200 Speaker 1: the continent? So UM we have about well they I 118 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:24,800 Speaker 1: would say about eighty percent seventy eight percent of the 119 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:31,280 Speaker 1: players in our first season came from um UH from 120 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:38,640 Speaker 1: Africa and of rather from domestic um UH from from 121 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:42,800 Speaker 1: the domestic teams and then the rest came from other 122 00:08:42,840 --> 00:08:48,320 Speaker 1: African countries and some came from overseas. So if I 123 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:50,920 Speaker 1: want to let me be a little bit more specific, 124 00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:56,680 Speaker 1: we want to grow the game UM domestically on the continent. 125 00:08:56,760 --> 00:09:01,480 Speaker 1: And so when we UM, what we've agreed with these 126 00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:05,480 Speaker 1: teams is that of a call it a twelve person roster, 127 00:09:06,280 --> 00:09:09,720 Speaker 1: eight of those players will come from the country that 128 00:09:09,800 --> 00:09:13,480 Speaker 1: the team is based in, two of the players can 129 00:09:13,720 --> 00:09:18,439 Speaker 1: come from other African countries, and two players can come 130 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:22,880 Speaker 1: from outside of Africa. So by doing that, we end 131 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:27,800 Speaker 1: up with a good blend of UM domestic players who 132 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:31,160 Speaker 1: are getting opportunities that they haven't had to compete at 133 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:37,760 Speaker 1: a higher level. We're giving African professionals UM the opportunity 134 00:09:37,880 --> 00:09:43,360 Speaker 1: to UM you know, strengthening teams from across the continent, 135 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:46,959 Speaker 1: and then we bring in UM. We give the teams 136 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:49,760 Speaker 1: the opportunity to bring in some foreign players who help 137 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:53,960 Speaker 1: increase the level of of the league and you know, 138 00:09:54,160 --> 00:09:57,760 Speaker 1: sometimes drive a lot of fan attention as well. So 139 00:09:58,320 --> 00:10:01,319 Speaker 1: it's a nice blend and are looking forward to continuing 140 00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:04,640 Speaker 1: that in future season. Well, speaking of driving fan attention, 141 00:10:04,679 --> 00:10:08,160 Speaker 1: there's nothing that drives fan attention like former NBA players 142 00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:11,160 Speaker 1: that star wattage from names like Grant Hill, uh To 143 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:15,480 Speaker 1: can be Motombo and Loyal Deng who are all investors 144 00:10:15,559 --> 00:10:18,120 Speaker 1: in this venture. Can you talk a little bit about 145 00:10:18,160 --> 00:10:21,120 Speaker 1: their role? Are they passive investors? Are they active? Are 146 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:26,600 Speaker 1: they involved operationally? Do they offer advice? Yeah? So, UM, 147 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:28,920 Speaker 1: you know, the work that the NBA has done in 148 00:10:28,960 --> 00:10:32,679 Speaker 1: Africa over the last you know, ten years now has 149 00:10:32,800 --> 00:10:38,559 Speaker 1: always been actively supported by our players and especially UM 150 00:10:38,679 --> 00:10:41,440 Speaker 1: some of our former players who have ties to the 151 00:10:41,440 --> 00:10:45,360 Speaker 1: continent or just really passionate about UM what we're doing 152 00:10:45,360 --> 00:10:49,960 Speaker 1: on the continents. So when we decided to bring on 153 00:10:50,120 --> 00:10:55,760 Speaker 1: external investors to help us UM accelerate our growth plans 154 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:57,680 Speaker 1: on the continent, who is really important that we go 155 00:10:57,800 --> 00:11:00,640 Speaker 1: to those players and give them an open tunity to 156 00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:05,079 Speaker 1: join us. So they play I would say they play 157 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:09,160 Speaker 1: an advisory role UM. So we meet with them periodically 158 00:11:09,240 --> 00:11:13,880 Speaker 1: to give them an update on our plans and UM 159 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:18,840 Speaker 1: in they uh they've attended some of them attended the 160 00:11:18,920 --> 00:11:21,840 Speaker 1: B A L season and as we go forward, I'm 161 00:11:21,840 --> 00:11:25,320 Speaker 1: sure we'll find ways UM as we identify the particular 162 00:11:25,400 --> 00:11:28,600 Speaker 1: areas of interest of each of them, will find ways 163 00:11:28,679 --> 00:11:33,920 Speaker 1: to get them more involved. So they're definitely UM great 164 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:36,960 Speaker 1: advisors and supporters of what we're doing on the continent. 165 00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:40,120 Speaker 1: They take a peek around the corner. Three to five 166 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:43,880 Speaker 1: years from now, where do you say the Basketball African League. 167 00:11:45,080 --> 00:11:47,680 Speaker 1: So our goal would be in three to five years 168 00:11:47,679 --> 00:11:51,640 Speaker 1: the Basketball Africa League should be one of the top 169 00:11:51,720 --> 00:11:57,440 Speaker 1: league on the in the globally. Obviously the NBA will 170 00:11:57,440 --> 00:12:00,679 Speaker 1: be at the pinnacle, but we would hope that certainly 171 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:03,840 Speaker 1: for Africa and professional players, they will be able to 172 00:12:05,160 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 1: They'll aspire to be in the b L, they will 173 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:11,920 Speaker 1: be able to UM you know, have meaningful careers playing 174 00:12:11,960 --> 00:12:15,679 Speaker 1: in the b L. That will attract some talent from 175 00:12:15,679 --> 00:12:17,680 Speaker 1: around the world that also wants to be in the 176 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:23,679 Speaker 1: b L and UM and that the club ecosystem on 177 00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:28,320 Speaker 1: the continent will be stronger as well. UM. So ideally 178 00:12:28,360 --> 00:12:32,160 Speaker 1: we want to see the clubs become more professionally owned 179 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:36,280 Speaker 1: and professionally managed. We want to see them really build 180 00:12:36,320 --> 00:12:42,840 Speaker 1: out the capability to grow their own talent through academies 181 00:12:42,960 --> 00:12:46,560 Speaker 1: and to run programs and strengthen the grassroots. The imp 182 00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:52,360 Speaker 1: us is to have a strong, viable and functioning UM 183 00:12:53,080 --> 00:12:57,400 Speaker 1: ecosystem of basketball and the continent, and we want the 184 00:12:57,720 --> 00:13:01,640 Speaker 1: BL to be a very attractive commerce shal property that 185 00:13:01,720 --> 00:13:05,520 Speaker 1: attracts sponsors and his youth globally. Is there a role 186 00:13:05,600 --> 00:13:10,600 Speaker 1: here for NBA Africa to play more of a diplomatic 187 00:13:10,760 --> 00:13:14,960 Speaker 1: role as well, because I I was reading that President Obama, 188 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:19,120 Speaker 1: former President Obama as well as an investor in in 189 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:22,520 Speaker 1: the NBA Africa venture. Yes, yes, yes, So we're very 190 00:13:22,520 --> 00:13:27,079 Speaker 1: pleased to have President Obama join us as a strategic partner. 191 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:32,079 Speaker 1: And you know, he's UM, I think everyone knows, very 192 00:13:32,120 --> 00:13:36,319 Speaker 1: passionate about the game and you know, had his own 193 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:41,360 Speaker 1: personal ties to the continent and it's very focused on 194 00:13:41,600 --> 00:13:47,360 Speaker 1: youth and so UM, he was quite keen to be 195 00:13:47,600 --> 00:13:50,120 Speaker 1: part of what we're doing in Africa and we're very 196 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:54,480 Speaker 1: pleased to have him on board. UM. And I think, 197 00:13:54,840 --> 00:13:59,360 Speaker 1: you know, we continue to UM discussed with him and 198 00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:02,160 Speaker 1: his team, UM, some of the ways in which he's 199 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:06,400 Speaker 1: going to be supportive of what we're doing. UM, and 200 00:14:06,440 --> 00:14:10,760 Speaker 1: I think he'll he'll you know, get involved as makes 201 00:14:10,760 --> 00:14:15,880 Speaker 1: sense for him, but really amplifying our efforts and lending 202 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:20,920 Speaker 1: his own particular influence to help accelerate what we're doing 203 00:14:20,960 --> 00:14:24,600 Speaker 1: on the continent. But there's a realistic to assume that 204 00:14:25,640 --> 00:14:28,120 Speaker 1: some players may emerge from this league and make it 205 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:31,360 Speaker 1: to the NBA. Or is going to the States and 206 00:14:31,400 --> 00:14:34,000 Speaker 1: going to a university a more direct route to the NBA. 207 00:14:34,120 --> 00:14:37,960 Speaker 1: Good question, a great question, and you know, what we 208 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:41,960 Speaker 1: wanted to do here was to create another pathway that 209 00:14:42,880 --> 00:14:48,200 Speaker 1: gives players and the continent um another avenue to aspire 210 00:14:48,320 --> 00:14:50,880 Speaker 1: to in terms of where they can take their basketball career. 211 00:14:51,400 --> 00:14:56,000 Speaker 1: So there will always be players, um, including some of 212 00:14:56,000 --> 00:14:58,720 Speaker 1: the ones that we are today developing in our NBA 213 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:03,400 Speaker 1: academy in Sanegal. Who's the best past for them? Maybe 214 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:09,400 Speaker 1: to go on to US universities and potentially, uh, you know, 215 00:15:09,480 --> 00:15:11,760 Speaker 1: go to the NBA that way. There maybe some players 216 00:15:11,800 --> 00:15:15,800 Speaker 1: who go to teammate night and then go onto the NBA. 217 00:15:16,440 --> 00:15:21,600 Speaker 1: But we would hope that for the you know, probably 218 00:15:21,640 --> 00:15:25,920 Speaker 1: the large majority of players who are passionate about the 219 00:15:25,960 --> 00:15:28,000 Speaker 1: game on the continent and want to play it at 220 00:15:28,680 --> 00:15:31,720 Speaker 1: elite level, the Basketball Africa League is going to be 221 00:15:31,760 --> 00:15:34,560 Speaker 1: that place where they spend the bulk of their careers. 222 00:15:35,040 --> 00:15:38,520 Speaker 1: Final question for you, victor Um. The new variant of 223 00:15:38,560 --> 00:15:42,920 Speaker 1: covid omicron spreading quickly in Southern Africa. In South Africa 224 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:45,960 Speaker 1: where you are right now, what has it done in 225 00:15:46,040 --> 00:15:52,280 Speaker 1: terms of affect your plans for at the moment. So 226 00:15:52,640 --> 00:15:57,560 Speaker 1: you know, we're literally thinking about this daily, UM, and 227 00:15:57,640 --> 00:16:02,200 Speaker 1: we're monitoring the situation of a micron as it plays out, 228 00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:06,160 Speaker 1: you know, across the continent. As you say, our goal 229 00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:13,040 Speaker 1: for two would be to play the tournament UM without 230 00:16:13,040 --> 00:16:16,720 Speaker 1: a bubble, UM, which we did very we we had 231 00:16:16,720 --> 00:16:22,080 Speaker 1: a very successful bubble in May, UM and no player 232 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:26,440 Speaker 1: tested positive, which was fantastic. UM. We'd love to play 233 00:16:26,480 --> 00:16:29,520 Speaker 1: without a bubble, but we're going to do what makes 234 00:16:29,520 --> 00:16:34,200 Speaker 1: sense from a health and safety protocol for our teams, UH, 235 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:39,040 Speaker 1: the officials and our fans and so UM. We'll continue 236 00:16:39,040 --> 00:16:43,360 Speaker 1: to monitor this situation and develop the health and safety 237 00:16:43,360 --> 00:16:45,760 Speaker 1: protocols that makes sense at that time. We know it's 238 00:16:45,840 --> 00:16:49,120 Speaker 1: very fluid, UM, So I can't sit here today and 239 00:16:49,160 --> 00:16:52,560 Speaker 1: say what it's going to be three months from now. 240 00:16:52,640 --> 00:16:59,200 Speaker 1: Does it involve mandate vaccine mandates? Yeah, so UM we 241 00:16:59,320 --> 00:17:04,560 Speaker 1: suddenly our goal in would be for all the players 242 00:17:04,720 --> 00:17:07,639 Speaker 1: who participate in and not to the players, but are 243 00:17:07,840 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 1: also the team delegations that participate in the b L 244 00:17:11,720 --> 00:17:17,120 Speaker 1: to be fully vaccinated by the time they UM they 245 00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:22,960 Speaker 1: come to the to the tournament and were in the 246 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:25,840 Speaker 1: process of communicating that to the teams. Victor, thanks so 247 00:17:25,920 --> 00:17:29,439 Speaker 1: much for joining us. That was Victor Williams, NBA Africa CEO. 248 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:32,880 Speaker 1: And this is the Bloomberg Business the Sports Podcast. I'm 249 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:35,600 Speaker 1: Mike Lynch along with Scarlett Foo and you can catch 250 00:17:35,640 --> 00:17:38,840 Speaker 1: us here each and every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday exploring 251 00:17:38,840 --> 00:17:41,119 Speaker 1: the world of money in sports. And be sure to 252 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:43,320 Speaker 1: catch us on Twitter. You can find me at Lynch 253 00:17:43,359 --> 00:17:45,800 Speaker 1: e w CVB and you can find me on Twitter 254 00:17:45,840 --> 00:17:48,760 Speaker 1: at Scarlett Fool. You're listening to Bloomberg Business of Sports 255 00:17:48,920 --> 00:17:51,119 Speaker 1: on Bloomberg Radio around the world.