The Basketball Africa League (BAL) is set for its biggest transformation yet — shifting from a tournament model to a 12-team professional league with permanent franchises and state-of-the-art arenas, according to NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum.
Ten of the teams will hold permanent franchise status, while two at-large spots will remain open each season. Markets like Dakar, Kigali, Johannesburg, Lagos, and Nairobi are leading candidates to host teams.
Following record attendance and viewership in 2025, the BAL has already contributed over $250 million to Africa’s GDP, with projections reaching $5.4 billion by 2034. Tatum said the new model will “bring stability, infrastructure, and investment in grassroots basketball.”
Among the potential franchise investors are Grant Hill, Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, and former U.S. President Barack Obama through NBA Africa.
Source: Andscape (ESPN)
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