• American sports

NBA and Team USA commit to Manchester appearances

ESPN staff
February 28, 2011
NBA stars like LeBron James could be set to grace Manchester's MEN Arena © Getty Images
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The NBA and Team USA have committed to play games in Manchester as basketball looks to grow its fanbase in the United Kingdom.

Team USA, likely to feature stars including LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade, will play an exhibition match at the MEN Arena in 2012, ahead of the defence of their Olympic title at the London Olympic Games.

The US women's team will also play an exhibition game, with the NBA then set to host a pre-season match at the same venue in 2013.

"Manchester has made a big commitment over the next three years and we are very excited about it," Goldschmidt told BBC Sport. "Manchester has a rich sporting tradition in the city - mostly known for football - but it has the capacity and infrastructure to host world-class events and a proven track record.

That does not mean the NBA will no longer come to London - where the New Jersey Nets and the Toronto Raptors will play two regular season games at the O2 Arena on Friday and Saturday.

"We are very committed to London as a market," she added. "It is a fantastic city to play games in and we plan to go back to London many more times."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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