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The Kobe Bryant effect on the NBA global expansion strategy
Kobe Bryant is a global icon that touched many hearts and minds around the world through the game of basketball outside the United States of America.
Magic Johnson opened up the 2020 NBA All-Star game with a dedication to both David Stern and Kobe Byrant. Both were lost in the GAME of life this year. He asked that everyone in the building lock hands for an 8 second moment of silence in remembrance
In addition, the NBA recently announced that the MVP award is named in honor and now after Kobe Byrant. 18-time All-Star who won a record-tying four All-Star Game MVP awards.
The global expansion of the NBA can be traced back to the vision of David Stern. One that current Commish Adam Silver is executing through social media over the last 10 years.
The NBA now has more players from different parts of the world than any other league. Spanning the game globally for all fans of the game to enjoy. The Social Organism is in full effect on the World Wide Web.
“We realize the U.S. is a little less than four or five percent of the global population and we have a whole world out there that loves basketball and loves the NBA.” Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner
Dr. James Naismith hailed from Ontario before inventing the game back in 1891, and what’s considered the first NBA game was played in 1946 between the Knicks and the Huskies in Toronto.
In January of 1983 researchers began to assemble the “network of networks” that became the modern Internet. The online world then took on a more recognizable form in 1990, when computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web.
Where the NBA is currently dominating on social media. In 2018 Twitter reported that the NBA was the most Tweeted about sports league over MLB and the NFL.
Under the NBA All-Star format this year I’m certain many players will be competing to win the first-ever Kobe Bryant MVP Award tonight. I’m willing to bet it could possibly be the first-ever international MVP. Unless of course, LeBron can have anything to do with it. Keep your eyes on the Tweets.
“Kobe Bryant is synonymous with NBA All-Star and embodies the spirit of this global celebration of our game. He always relished the opportunity to compete with the best of the best and perform at the highest level for millions of fans around the world.” Adam Silver
