74 MISSISSIPPI SPORTS LAW REVIEW [VOL. 8:1
The most blatant and pressing problem for the NCAA is the FBI
investigation concerning allegations that executives at shoe
companies were funneling money to schools through financial
advisors in order to pay players to attend those institutions and
ultimately promote certain shoe brands.
20
Although this problem
does not implicate or affect the NBA directly, it does put more
pressure on the NBA to offer a solution that will prevent such
scandals from recurring.
The third problem the NBA is facing is that it is quickly
approaching, if it has not already reached, a saturation of the U.S.
market.
21
NBA officials have discussed creating new teams, and,
despite the appearance of saturation, Silver is still throwing out
ideas regarding expansion of the League in the U.S.
22
Finding a
desirable location for an additional team would require extensive
research to determine which geographic area would be the most
beneficial to the NBA, but it would also require a restructuring of
the league to allow for even distribution of teams in the
conferences.
23
The fourth problem the NBA faces arises from the financial
and logistical difficulties associated with expanding the NBA.
There is no doubt the NBA has pulled in a large fan base from
countries around the world, but the international market
expansion is miniscule compared to what it could be. Silver has
expressed interest in placing a future NBA team in a foreign city,
most likely Mexico City.
24
He explained that starting a team in
20
Sherman, http://www.espn.com/mens-college-
basketball/story/_/id/22555512/explaining-ncaa-college-basketball-scandal-players-
coaches-agents.
21
The Associated Press, Column: US Leagues are on the Verge of Going
International, T
HE NEW YORK TIMES (Apr. 27, 2018, 5:31 PM), https://www.nytimes.co
m/aponline/2018/04/27/sports/ap-paul-newberry-going-international.html.
22
Matt Bonesteel, Adam Silver Says NBA Expansion Discussion is ‘Inevitable,’
Specifically Mentions Seattle, T
HE WASHINGTON POST (July 26, 2017),
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2017/07/26/adam-silver-says-nba-
expansion-discussion-is-inevitable-specifically-mentions-
seattle/?utm_term=.273f3e084c5d.
23
Tom Ziller, The NBA Might Really Add New Teams. Here’s What It Would Take,
SB N
ATION (Feb. 13, 2017, 10:49 AM), https://www.sbnation.com/2017/2/13/14596586/n
ba-expansion-louisville-seattle-adam-silver.
24
Timothy Rapp, Adam Silver Talks 82-Game Season, Possible International
Franchises in NBA, B
LEACHER REPORT (Oct. 5, 2017), http://bleacherreport.com/articles
/2737101-adam-silver-talks-82-game-season-possible-international-franchises-in-nba.