{"id":21776,"date":"2021-07-28T22:01:24","date_gmt":"2021-07-29T03:01:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=21776"},"modified":"2021-07-28T22:01:24","modified_gmt":"2021-07-29T03:01:24","slug":"former-president-barack-obama-to-join-nba-africa-as-strategic-partner-minority-owner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myboysay.com\/blog\/?p=21776","title":{"rendered":"Former President Barack Obama to join NBA Africa as strategic partner, minority owner"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Former President Barack Obama ‘proud to join’ NBA Africa as strategic partner<\/h1>\n<\/header>\n
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The NBA announced Tuesday that former United States President Barack Obama is joining NBA Africa as a strategic partner. The league has been steadily growing its presence across Africa, most recently helping establish the Basketball Africa League (BAL), which kicked off its inaugural season in May.<\/strong> \"Barack <\/span> \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

“President Obama will help advance the league’s social responsibility efforts across the continent, including programs and partnerships that support greater gender equality and economic inclusion. In this capacity, President Obama will have a minority equity stake in the new venture, which over time he intends to use to fund Obama Foundation youth and leadership programs across Africa.”<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This is a significant announcement for the NBA, which just recently established NBA Africa in May<\/a> to oversee the league’s business in Africa. When NBA commissioner Adam Silver made the announcement of the creation of NBA Africa, he spoke about the league’s interest in continuing to grow the game of basketball all the way down at the grassroots level up to the professional ranks, and this new inclusion of President Obama will certainly help attain that goal.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“The NBA has always been a great ambassador for the United States — using the game to create deeper connections around the world, and in Africa, basketball has the power to promote opportunity, wellness, equality, and empowerment across the continent,” Obama said. “By investing in communities, promoting gender equality, and cultivating the love of the game of basketball, I believe that NBA Africa can make a difference for so many of Africa’s young people. I’ve been impressed by the league’s commitment to Africa, including the leadership shown by so many African players who want to give back to their own countries and communities. That’s why I’m proud to join the team at NBA Africa and look forward to a partnership that benefits the youth of so many countries.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since the league established its headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2010, the number of NBA players who hail from different countries in Africa has steadily increased. During the 2020-21 season there were a total of 55 players who were either from a country in Africa, or had family ties over there. With players like Joel Embiid<\/a> and Pascal Siakam<\/a> being huge success stories after attending basketball and training camps led by the NBA when they were younger, its opened the league’s eyes to how global the game can really be.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The continued investment, and now the involvement of Obama, will ensure that not only is the NBA helping to grow the game of basketball in Africa, but also that its interest extends beyond the basketball court in a responsible way.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Former President Barack Obama joins NBA Africa as strategic partner<\/strong><\/h1>\n

President Barack Obama will help advance the league\u2019s social responsibility efforts across the continent, including programs and partnerships that support greater gender equality and economic inclusion.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA and WASHINGTON, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced that former President Barack Obama has joined NBA Africa<\/a> as a strategic partner.<\/strong><\/p>\n

President Obama will help advance the league\u2019s social responsibility efforts across the continent, including programs and partnerships that support greater gender equality and economic inclusion.\u00a0 In this capacity, President Obama will have a minority equity stake in the new venture, which over time he intends to use to fund Obama Foundation youth and leadership programs across Africa.<\/strong><\/p>\n

NBA Africa conducts the league\u2019s business in Africa, including the\u00a0Basketball Africa League<\/a> (BAL), which held its\u00a0inaugural season<\/a>\u00a0in May featuring 12 of the top club teams from 12 African countries.\u00a0 NBA Africa is focused on expanding the NBA\u2019s presence in priority African markets, deepening the league\u2019s engagement with players and fans across the continent, and continuing to grow Africa\u2019s basketball ecosystem through programs like\u00a0the Jr. NBA, Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa and NBA Academy Africa.\u00a0 In addition, NBA Africa has launched several\u00a0social responsibility initiatives<\/a> aimed at raising awareness of gender-based violence, supporting girls\u2019 education, and improving the livelihoods of African youth and families.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe NBA has always been a great ambassador for the United States\u2014using the game to create deeper connections around the world, and in Africa, basketball has the power to promote opportunity, wellness, equality, and empowerment across the continent,\u201d said President Barack Obama.\u00a0 \u201cBy investing in communities, promoting gender equality, and cultivating the love of the game of basketball, I believe that NBA Africa can make a difference for so many of Africa\u2019s young people.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been impressed by the league\u2019s commitment to Africa, including the leadership shown by so many African players who want to give back to their own countries and communities.\u00a0 That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to join the team at NBA Africa and look forward to a partnership that benefits the youth of so many countries.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are honored that President Obama has become a strategic partner in NBA Africa and will support our wide-ranging efforts to grow the game of basketball on the continent,\u201d said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.\u00a0 \u201cIn addition to his well-documented love for basketball, President Obama has a firm belief in Africa\u2019s potential and the enormous growth opportunities that exist through sports.\u00a0 NBA Africa will benefit tremendously from his engagement.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have ambitious growth plans for NBA Africa and having President Obama join our efforts is a recognition that through sport, Africa can take its rightful place on the world stage,\u201d said NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams.\u00a0 \u201cWe look forward to working with President Obama and our strategic investors to use basketball as an economic growth engine across the continent and as a platform to improve the health and wellness of one of the world\u2019s youngest and fastest-growing populations.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Strategic investors in NBA Africa include a consortium led by Babatunde \u201cTunde\u201d Folawiyo, Chairman and CEO of Yinka Folawiyo Group, and Helios Fairfax Partners Corporation (HFP), led by Co-CEO Tope Lawani.\u00a0 Additional investors in NBA Africa include NBA Legends Junior Bridgeman, Luol Deng (South Sudan), Grant Hill, Ian Mahinmi (France; ties to Benin), Dikembe Mutombo (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Joakim Noah (ties to Cameroon).<\/strong><\/p>\n

The NBA has a decades-long history in Africa and opened its African headquarters in Johannesburg in 2010.\u00a0 Since then, the league\u2019s efforts on the continent have focused on increasing access to basketball and the NBA through social responsibility, grassroots and elite development, media distribution, corporate partnerships, NBA Africa Games, the launch of the BAL, and more.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The inaugural BAL season was broadcast to fans in 215 countries and territories in 15 languages. \u00a0On Sunday, May 30, Zamalek (Egypt) defeated US Monastir (Tunisia) 76-63 to win the first BAL Championship.\u00a0 Fans can follow @NBA_Africa and @theBAL on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Barack Obama<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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Barack Obama<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Obama<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
Official portrait, 2012<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
44th President of the United States<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
In office<\/span><\/strong>
\nJanuary 20, 2009\u00a0\u2013 January 20, 2017<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vice President<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nJoe Biden<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Preceded by<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nGeorge W. Bush<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Succeeded by<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nDonald Trump<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
United States Senator<\/a><\/strong>
\nfrom Illinois<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
In office<\/span><\/strong>
\nJanuary 3, 2005\u00a0\u2013 November 16, 2008<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Preceded by<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nPeter Fitzgerald<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Succeeded by<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nRoland Burris<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Member of the Illinois Senate<\/a><\/strong>
\nfrom the 13th district<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
In office<\/span><\/strong>
\nJanuary 8, 1997\u00a0\u2013 November 4, 2004<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Preceded by<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nAlice Palmer<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Succeeded by<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nKwame Raoul<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Personal details<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Born<\/strong><\/th>\n\n
Barack Hussein Obama II<\/strong><\/div>\n

August 4, 1961 (age\u00a059)<\/span><\/strong>
\nHonolulu<\/a>, Hawaii<\/a>, U.S.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Political party<\/strong><\/th>\nDemocratic<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Spouse(s)<\/strong><\/th>\n\n
Children<\/strong><\/th>\n\n
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Parents<\/strong><\/th>\n\n
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Relatives<\/strong><\/th>\nFamily of Barack Obama<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Residence<\/strong><\/th>\nKalorama (Washington, D.C.)<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Education<\/strong><\/th>\nPunahou School<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alma mater<\/a><\/strong><\/th>\n\n
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Occupation<\/strong><\/th>\n\n
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  • Politician<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • lawyer<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • author<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Awards<\/strong><\/th>\nList of honors and awards<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Signature<\/strong><\/th>\n\"Cursive<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Website<\/strong><\/th>\n\n
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