NBA enjoying viewership, social media growth in Philippines

The NBA has seen a spike in viewership in the Philippines, as well as Brazil and Australia, demonstrating that the league's efforts to grow the game outside of North America is bearing fruit.

The league has enjoyed growth in viewership and on social media in the Philippines. The NBA's Facebook page has more than 8.5 million followers from the Philippines, the No. 1 country outside the United States.

In Brazil, games this season are drawing a 16% larger average audience compared to last season, rising to 4th among countries outside the United States in largest total audience, the league said.

The South American nation has also seen a jump in NBA League Pass subscriptions, jersey sales and social media engagement.

Australia has seen a 35% larger average audience compared to last season, including a 27% jump in viewership for the NBA's Christmas day suite of games.

The league's opening night roster featured eight Australian players including veteran guard Patty Mills and rising star Josh Giddey, who are driving interest in their home country.

"We're very pleased with the growth in viewership and consumption we're experiencing this season in a number of international markets, including Australia, Brazil and the Philippines, all of which have extremely passionate NBA fan bases," Matt Brabants, head of international content partnerships at the NBA, told Reuters.

"The NBA's popularity continues to grow around the world, and as we head into NBA All-Star 2022 and the playoff race heats up, we anticipate this trend will continue in markets around the world."

The NBA All-Star game in February 20 in Cleveland and the playoffs tip off on April 16.

-reuters-

NBA's Kevin Love, DeRozan to visit PH

MANILA, Philippines – NBA superstars Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan are heading to Manila.

Love, a three-time NBA All-Star, will visit Manila on June 20 to hold a skills clinic and witness the Master Game Face All-Star Basketball Challenge at the Araneta Coliseum.

The fifth overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft will attend the All-Star Game’s opening and halftime shows on June 21, where he will participate in a skills challenge.

He will also compete with some of the PBA’s best shooters in a three-point shootout during the halftime show.

A day before the Master Game Face Challenge, Love will hold a basketball skills clinic for young players at the Manila Boystown in Marikina City.

He will also lead a charity auction and dinner at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

“We are thrilled to welcome to the country three-time NBA All-Star Kevin Love,” Jonathan Pua, Unilever male grooming senior brand manager, said in a statement. “The Master Game Face All-Star Basketball Challenge is the perfect venue for this fast-rising NBA superstar.”

Love’s participation at the opening and halftime shows is expected to spice up the head-to-head match-up between Rain or Shine’s Chris Tiu and San Mig Coffee’s Marc Pingris, who will lead their respective teams composed of some of the country’s best players, in a game against each other.

Love, a six-year veteran, has averaged 19.2 points and 12.2 rebounds per game in his career. In the 2013-2014 season, he averaged a career-high 26.1 points per game for the Timberwolves.

NBA 3X Philippine
DeRozan, meanwhile, will visit Manila in July to headline the fourth edition of the NBA 3X Philippines, a 3x3 on-court competition that will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

"I'm excited for my first visit to the Philippines, to experience the country’s unique culture and to be a part of NBA 3X," said DeRozan, as quoted by the NBA Philippines website. "Filipinos are world-renowned for their passion for the NBA."

"I can't wait for this exciting showcase of their basketball skills," he added.

NBA 3X Philippines celebrates basketball and NBA culture with free fan activities, including a slam dunk contest, basketball clinics, three-point shootouts, autograph sessions, and more.

The competitive 3x3 tournament itself will feature divisions for boys under-18, under-16, and under-13. There will also be divisions for girls under-18 and under-16, as well as open categories for both men and women.

There will also be an invitation-only Celebrity Division, which will feature popular local TV and music personalities.

DeRozan, a 2014 NBA All-Star who helped lead the Raptors to a franchise-best 48-win season, will headline the event and help run the clinics.

Registration for NBA 3X Philippines begins June 6 on a first-come, first-serve basis, and runs until June 27 or until all slots are full.

For more information on NBA 3X Philippines 2014 presented by Sprite and to register for the 3x3 tournament, log on to www.nba3x.com/philippines.


NBA 3X Philippines runs from July 4 to 6.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com