Mark Cuban Speaks on Dallas Mavs 'Great Experience' in Abu Dhabi Games, NBA Global Marketing
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — The Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves are playing a two-game mini-series at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi to begin the NBA preseason. The opportunity to play the games has afforded the Mavs a great chance to build a closer connection with fans from a different region while also appreciating another culture.
"With Luka and Kyrie, particularly, the Mavs are a global team," Mavs Governor Mark Cuban said. "Just being able to be part of this and to help spread the NBA love. UAE, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi are not what I expected; they're cool, right? My general perception coming in is not anything like what it actually was. They've been loving, welcoming, and accommodating. It's been a great experience for all of us."
With two superstar talents like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Mavs naturally are a major draw as a team playing in an international market. The crowd passionately chanted for both players during the Mavs’ first of two games on Thursday to show their support.
"The NBA is a Global League. You heard [the fans in the crowd] chanting for Luka and Kyrie the other night. That builds it," Cuban said. "It creates awareness for our other guys, too, and for the league. You want to create that love, that global love, for sure.
"Starting with the dream team in '92 to today, where the NBA has become the second most popular sport in the world, and in many countries, the most popular sport, that's incredible when you think about it," Cuban explained.
“Just being part of that. One of these kids could be in the NBA in 10 years, and just like Dirk would say, he saw the Dream Team and Luka [was] watching [his] dad play against American players. That's just part of building the love for the NBA."
Mark Cuban’s Dallas Mavericks look to have a bounce-back season once returning home from Abu Dhabi and Madrid.
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The Mavs' final stop of their 12-day international trip will be in Spain for a matchup against Doncic's former team in Real Madrid before declaring for the 2018 NBA Draft. Doncic has described Madrid as being his "second home." It will mark the first NBA preseason game in Spain since Doncic played against the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016.
"I'm excited for Luka. I think it was Luka's second year that I promised him we would play in Madrid," Cuban said. "It took us a while to get it all organized, and COVID slowed things down, but I'm excited for him because I know he's excited. That's going to be the best part."
At the start of training camp, Doncic said he was "very excited" to play against Real Madrid. He credited his time with the team for helping him to grow both on and off the court, as he spent most of his teenage years playing for the club.
"I've been thinking about this game since they told me we're going to play there," Doncic said. "That game's going to mean a lot to me. I was raised there. I learned how to speak their English, Spanish, well, everything. I learned how to play basketball. That's my second home. I'm very excited to be back there."
Cuban sees the NBA continuing to expand its outreach to international markets with its Global Games initiative as a good business move. With Doncic being such a draw for markets worldwide, the Mavs could be a team to watch for future participation.
"Every time we play somewhere, it's sold out," Cuban said. "The fans are crazy, the energy is amazing, and that just amplifies things for the future, and you build new NBA fans and get people excited. It's good business, and from a cultural standpoint, I think it creates a good vibe about the NBA for the global basketball community."
