 Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves to Play in London as Part of NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS™ |
-- 2009-10 NBA Champions to play Minnesota Timberwolves at The O2 on Oct.4 --
LONDON – July 6, 2010 – NBA basketball returns to London for the fourth consecutive year as the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at The O2 on Oct. 4, one of a series of games, as part of NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS™, the NBA, Euroleague Basketball and EA SPORTS announced today.
“NBA Europe Live and the return of NBA teams to Europe for a fifth consecutive year is a testament to our ongoing commitment to grow the game of basketball and engage our fans in the region,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “Through the support of our partners, including EA SPORTS, the game continues to grow and thrive in Europe, and fans in four cities will be able to witness first hand the exciting brands of basketball of both the NBA and the Euroleague.”
Since 2007, London has previously hosted three sold-out NBA games as part of the NBA Europe Live, and with the recent success of the Great Britain basketball team, the sport has witnessed a sharp increase in interest and participation across the UK.
The L.A Lakers, one of the most storied and recognizable teams in the all of basketball, have won 16 NBA titles, and are the reigning NBA Champions. This will be the Lakers’ first international trip since playing in Paris in 1991. The Timberwolves are making their second trip to London as part of NBA Europe Live, having previously played against the Boston Celtics in 2007.
“On behalf of my teammates and the entire Los Angeles Lakers organization I want say how excited we are to be coming to London on Oct. 4 to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at The O2 as part of NBA Europe Live,” said Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. “I know how passionate fans are in the UK, and I look forward to putting on a show for what promises to be a great game.”
As part of NBA Europe Live 2010, the New York Knicks will play against Armani Jeans Milano from the Euroleague in Milan on Oct. 3; with the Timberwolves facing off against the Knicks in Paris on Oct. 6. The Lakers will complete the tour with a game against Regal FC Barcelona, also of the Euroleague, in Barcelona on Oct. 7.
“We are pleased to continue this partnership with the NBA and are proud of our role in helping to present the world’s best basketball across Europe,” said Peter Moore, President, EA SPORTS. “As the popularity of this event and the sport grows in Europe, it becomes the ultimate platform to support NBA basketball and the globalization of our NBA LIVE videogame. NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS has become a pillar of our basketball business and is a great way for fans to enjoy these exciting games and NBA LIVE in some of the world’s best cities.”
Following the NBA Europe Live 2010, 54 games featuring 23 NBA teams will have been played in 18 cities in Europe since 1988. The sold out 2009 tour was televised in 209 countries and territories and was supported by 18 marketing and promotional partners.
London has previously hosted nine NBA teams since 1993, including the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic (1993); the Houston Rockets; (1995); the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves (2007); the Miami Heat and New Jersey Nets (2008) and the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz (2009).
Inaugural presenting partner since 2006, EA SPORTS will activate in each host city together with adidas to bring the game closer to fans through a series of free interactive fan events. adidas, who return as a Pan European partner of NBA Europe Live for the fifth consecutive year, will utilize the tour to launch the company's new rights as of October 2010 to commercialize on-court uniforms and apparel in Europe. ESPN, The Daily Mirror and Thomas Cook Sport join as official partners in the UK.
In addition to the on-court action during NBA Europe Live 2010, the NBA will also conduct a variety of community events and programs in Barcelona, London, Milan and Paris as part of its NBA Cares initiative. Since 2005, the NBA family has helped create and build more than 465 places where children and families can live, learn or play around the world, including 16 in Europe as part of NBA Europe Live.
2010 NBA Europe Live Schedule:
| GAMES | DATE | CITY | ARENA |
| New York Knicks vs. Armani Jeans Milano | Oct. 3 | Milan | Mediolanum Forum |
| Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | Oct. 4 | London | The O2 |
| New York Knicks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | Oct. 6 | Paris | Palais Omnisports Paris Bercy |
| Los Angeles Lakers vs. Regal FC Barcelona | Oct. 7 | Barcelona | Palau Sant Jordi |
