BASKETBALL

Basketball in Sport Origins and history Basketball is one of the few major sports with a known inventor and birth date. In December 1891, James Naismith, a physical education teacher in Springfield, Massachusetts, needed an indoor game for his students during the winter. He nailed peach baskets to a gym balcony and wrote down 13 rules. The game spread fast through YMCAs and colleges. Basketball became an Olympic sport for men in 1936 and for women in 1976. The NBA's roots go back to 1946, and the modern league grew from its 1976 merger with the ABA. How the game grew worldwide The 1992 "Dream Team" at the Barcelona Olympics is often seen as the moment basketball went truly global. Since then, players from Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia have become stars in the NBA, and the game is now in every region of the world. Leagues like EuroLeague, the Spanish ACB and the Australian NBL have built their own strong followings. Sport business Basketball is a major business. Its main revenue streams: Media rights: broadcast and streaming deals are the biggest income source for the NBA and other top leagues. Sponsorship and apparel: shoe brands and jersey patches have turned players into global brands. Franchise values: top teams are worth billions, and ownership groups now include investment funds. Women's basketball: the WNBA and college women's games have seen rising attendance, viewership and investment. Major events NBA Finals and the NBA All-Star Game FIBA Basketball World Cup Olympic basketball tournament EuroLeague Final Four NCAA March Madness in the US Why it matters Basketball is fast, easy to follow, and works well on social media. It also blends sport, music and fashion in a way few other games do.