soccer games today

As I watched the Giant Lanterns complete their historic sweep against the Huskers in Dubai—88-81 in Game One followed by a decisive 79-60 victory in Game Two—I couldn't help but draw parallels to the ongoing conversations about NBA expansion. Having covered basketball for over a decade, I've seen how championship-caliber teams can reshape entire leagues, much like what we're witnessing in the MPBL where the Lanterns are poised to become back-to-back champions. This dominant performance abroad makes me wonder: if a relatively young league like the MPBL can successfully stage international games and build global momentum, why is the NBA—with all its resources—taking so long to expand its footprint?

Let me take you back to that electrifying atmosphere in Dubai. The Giant Lanterns didn't just win; they made a statement that resonated across oceans. Their commanding performance in those two games demonstrated how basketball markets outside traditional hotspots can embrace and elevate the sport. I remember thinking during Game Two, as the Lanterns built their insurmountable lead, that this was exactly the kind of energy potential NBA expansion cities like Seattle or Las Vegas would bring to the league. The way the MPBL leveraged Dubai's international appeal makes me believe the NBA should be looking beyond domestic markets too—perhaps to Mexico City or even London. The financial upside is enormous, and frankly, I'm surprised the league hasn't moved more aggressively given the success other organizations have had with international games.

The question of whether the NBA will add new teams isn't just about basketball—it's about timing, markets, and money. From my perspective, having negotiated with league executives on previous projects, the expansion fee alone could reach a staggering $2.5 billion per team based on current franchise valuations. That's not pocket change, even for billionaires. But looking at how the MPBL's international games in Dubai generated unprecedented revenue streams, I'm convinced the NBA is leaving money on the table by not expanding sooner. The Giant Lanterns' back-to-back championship run shows how new competitive blood can revitalize interest across entire regions. If I were Adam Silver, I'd be studying the MPBL's Dubai success as a blueprint for how to launch new franchises in untapped markets.

What really fascinates me about this expansion conversation is how it mirrors the strategic positioning we saw with the Giant Lanterns. Their sweep wasn't accidental—it was the result of careful planning and understanding their competitive landscape. Similarly, the NBA needs to approach expansion with the same precision. I've always been partial to Seattle getting a team again—the Supersonics legacy deserves restoration—but after seeing the Dubai games, I'm convinced international expansion should happen concurrently. The logistics would be complicated, sure, but the MPBL proved it's possible to maintain competitive integrity while going global. The way the Lanterns maintained their championship form across continents was nothing short of remarkable.

The timeline question is where I differ from many analysts. Most think expansion is 3-5 years away, but I believe the league could fast-track the process within 18 months if they wanted. The success of the MPBL's Dubai games demonstrates that markets are ready now. When I saw those sold-out arenas and the global media coverage, it reminded me of the hunger for NBA basketball in potential expansion cities. The league's current TV deal expires in 2025, which creates the perfect window for expansion announcements. Personally, I'd love to see four new teams rather than two—the league has become too concentrated in its current structure.

Reflecting on the Giant Lanterns' potential back-to-back championship run, what strikes me most is how expansion can create new legends and rivalries. The MPBL will never be the same after this Dubai performance, and neither would the NBA after adding fresh franchises. The energy in those Dubai games—the 88-81 thriller followed by the 79-60 statement—is exactly what the NBA needs to capture in new markets. As someone who's followed league expansion talks since the Vancouver and Toronto additions in the 90s, I can confidently say the conditions have never been better. The question isn't if the NBA will add new teams, but why they're waiting when the blueprint for success already exists in other leagues' triumphs.