NBA / Sep 2, 2009 / 10:59 am

The Philippines Is The NBA’s Next Frontier

By

Philippines

When Gerald wrote last week about cities that deserve an NBA team, he focused on just North American cities. But after reading that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dominique Wilkins, Vlade Divac, Robert Horry and Tim Hardaway were going to touch down in Manila next week, I realized they weren’t just there for vacation. Turns out Filipinos are crazy about the NBA.

“This country is probably No. 1 in the world on NBA brand awareness,” said Carlo Singson Sr., the manager for markets of NBA Asia during the NBA Madness event last year. “The fans are passionate, the percentage of people who play is awesome. NBA players who come here are amazed at how much Pinoys know about NBA teams and NBA players. NBA commissioner David Stern actually sees how important basketball is here and what it means to Filipinos. So the Philippines is definitely a priority market for the NBA.”

Not only is Stern sending five legends, but also six players from the D-League (Derrick Dial, Marcus Hubbard, Chris Ellis, Lanny Smith, Billy Thomas and Russell Robinson), six New Jersey Nets Dunking Divas and the Nets mascot, Sly the Silver Fox.

Check out these stats from the 2008 Sponsorship Intelligence research survey on the Philippines as an NBA market:

– 99 percent of the population is aware of the NBA
– 75 percent consider themselves to be NBA fans (eclipsing the Olympic Games at 58 percent and domestic basketball at 48 percent)
– Basketball is the nation’s favorite participation sport—nearly four in 10 play, twice as many as the next most played sports of badminton and volleyball
– During the NBA Season, 62 percent of the population watch the NBA games on TV at least once a month and about 40 percent of the population watch the NBA on TV at least once a week
– 33 percent intend to buy NBA branded items within the next year, rising to 44 percent among men (significantly more than the Asia and global averages)

While no one would want a back-to-back from Memphis to Manila, you have to think David Stern has a map of the world’s 12th most populous country on the wall of his office.

Other than the Philippines, what other international cities should have an NBA franchise?

Source: Business Mirror

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  • Josh Tha roc

    i can add to the argument slightly…i went into an asian food restaurant and just happened to be wearing a Lakers championship shirt, i was served by some middle aged filapino ladies. they kinda had a good look at me and cos im 6’6 basically got out the signature pads and were all like ‘you play for the lakers??’ they were real excited. but i was like nahh. i retospect i shoulda said yeah and got some free food. oh well live and you learn.

  • kulas
  • D-Money

    I happen to be filipino and a big NBA fan but I think that filipinos are into the wrong sport, unless there are genetic experiments going on to increase the heights and frames of filipinos, I do not see any full blood american born or imports in the NBA. I’m pretty sure they would excel in baseball given their height is not required to be 6 to 7 ft. Most of the asian countries like Korea, Taiwan, Japan focus more on baseball and even have imports playing in the MLB and their national teams can contend with any other int’l contenders. I remember when the Philippines won the Little League World Series (eventhough they cheated) and to get that far with very limited resources and coming from an impoversihed country should say something

  • Bola

    99% is quite steep but it is possible.. almost everyone knows who michael jordan is.. unless you’re from the mountain or island communities.. but for each and every island with access to television, basketball and nba are synonymous. Hard to admit but i only watch the local laegue during off-seasons or after the televised NBA game ( we got daily dose of nba action, by the way).. maybeits because of the level of talent and play.. size, hops, financial backing we ain’t got(relative to the rest of the world particularly the nba that is).. but love and heart for the game we will never lose..

    FILIPINOS’ LOVE FOR THE GAME AND NBA IS UNDENIABLY WORLD-CLASS

  • Bola

    99% is quite steep but it is possible.. almost everyone knows who Michael Jordan is.. unless you’re from the mountain or island communities.. but for each and every island with access to television, basketball and NBA are synonymous. Hard to admit but i only watch the local league during off-seasons or after the televised NBA game ( we got daily dose of NBA action, by the way).. maybe its because of the level of talent and play.. size, hops, financial backing we ain’t got(relative to the rest of the world particularly the NBA that is).. but love and heart for the game we will never lose..

    FILIPINOS’ LOVE FOR THE GAME AND NBA IS UNDENIABLY WORLD-CLASS

  • kowtz

    Flips love basketball…

    How much…

    Enough for them to play 5 versus 5 using basketballs as big as tennis balls to play hoops…

    We don’t care if we ain’t physically gifted to play the sport… that shows that we love it so much, we play it even as handicapped… ;D

  • http://TheNoLookPass.Com Rey-Rey

    You wanna rule the Philippines? Play basketball. Eventually, basketball players turn to acting after they retire… then they become politicians even though they know nothing about the economy. And those politicians are suddenly one step away from becoming President of the Philippines. Yup.

    And, yeah, a best gift to give to a Filipino male? A basketball.

  • http://pointsinthepaint.com/ Points in the Paint

    I am a testament as to how involved and obsessed Filipinos are with basketball and the NBA. I created my blog, Points in the Paint … http://pointsinthepaint.com/ as an outlet for my fantasy hoops mania!

  • http://mozilla baba

    Oh my! The greatest role player in the NBA, BIG SHOT ROB is here and I can’t go see him! Woe is me! I wish I have extra pesos right now

  • Andy

    Wow, The NBA is doing a great job and i admire all the players who visited the philippines. They go crazy with the NBA. I can say that the national sport is basketball
    LONG LIVE THE NBA anda thank you for time, you have given so much love for the game. GOD BLESS NBA PLAYERS

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