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In the first part of the article here I tried to explain why the NBA, being the target destination for every talented basketball player would do better with a market or two as big and competing with it. The problem has always been the sheer work involved in actualizing such a feat, and for many such challenges appear insurmountable and make it not worth the effort.

Looking at alternate markets, the differences between the organization of the game of basketball varies from country to country, and while some systems may offer more hope than others, it is still a far cry from what entails in the NBA.

When compiling my list of possible destinations for a new mega-market for the sport, some factors were put into consideration a lot more than others. For instance, while a country like the Philippines and Lithuania has a huge basketball following based on popularity, they simply are not ideal markets to create a mega-market for the sport.

Philippines for instance may be one of the homes for basketball, but it fails in the criteria of economic potential. The country, while developing fast is still an emerging economy and considered a lower-middle income country. There simply isn't enough money to attract and retain the best basketball talents available in other to create a global appeal.

Lithuania is similar in this case, as it does not have the population for starters to favorably compete. Moreover, its location and economic size make it unable to grow that much needed worldwide attention. At a domestic level, these countries have performed very well. However, in other to really conceptualize the potential for growth we have to look beyond sheer popularity.

The Criteria

What influences my list is mostly potential. It is rather based on what could be if the factors were right in these locations and some criteria I have selected include:

• Western Appeal which is an ability to attract a Global audience which primarily is dominated by Western Countries in terms of a lucrative market
• Size of the Economy
• Similarity with the NBA in terms of organizational structure
• Potential for organic Interest

With that said, Here is my list of 3 Countries I think have the most potential for a 'new NBA' in the Future.

Australia

The Australian Basketball league is the oldest and most developed of the Countries on my list. What's more, its proximity to the huge Asian markets puts it in a unique position of being able to take advantage of both the Western and Asian Markets. Over the years it has had its ups and downs, but its popularity has been on the rise over the last 5 years or so. I reckon there is still so much this league has to offer and it is only a matter of getting the marketing right.

Canada

Canada is often perceived as a sort of younger sibling to the U.S due to cultural and economic similarities. While the Canadian basketball league is still new and trying to find its footing, I believe it has the most potential for growth over the coming decades.

Great Britain

The UK has already proved to be a very good alternate market in many sports for where the U.S holds a dominant market share including boxing, Golf and Tennis. It is also the dominant market for Soccer. The problem with Basketball in the U.K is that it simply does not generate sufficient interest. This would be difficult to change with the plethora of other sports which generate high interest. However, if it can begin to grow organic attention, It could become one of the sports most lucrative market.

Conclusion

The NBA will remain dominant for a long, long time. However, these sleeping giants could perhaps give us some excitement in the future.