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NBA Would Consider Uniform Ads for Preseason Games in Europe

By Erik Matuszewski

March 27 (Bloomberg) -- The National Basketball Association may sell advertising space on uniforms for four preseason games in Europe later this year, Commissioner David Stern said.

The New Jersey Nets, Miami Heat, Washington Wizards and New Orleans Hornets will play in the series, called NBA Europe Live 2008. Exhibition games are scheduled for Oct. 9 in Paris, Oct. 12 in London, Oct. 14 in Berlin and Oct. 17 in Barcelona.

While many basketball, soccer and rugby teams in Europe and Asia feature sponsors on uniforms, the major sports leagues in the U.S. traditionally don't allow corporate logos on team jerseys. The Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics wore advertising patches during their two-game series in Tokyo on March 25-26 to open the Major League Baseball regular season.

``We're mindful of the fact that baseball just did it,'' Stern said on a media conference call. ``Our history has been we've tended to do things that honored the local venue that we're playing. We're mindful that in Europe sponsorship on uniforms is more common than it is here. It's something we would consider, but we're not planning.''

Executives from some NBA teams have in years past endorsed selling advertising on uniforms to boost revenue. Stern has said previously that he would consider it under the proper financial circumstances.

To contact the reporter on this story: Erik Matuszewski in New York at matuszewski@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: March 27, 2008 17:13 EDT


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