Basketball Africa League Franchises: NBA Moves to Make BAL Teams Permanent

**Lead image alt:** Basketball Africa League game action at BK Arena, Kigali

LONDON — The NBA is moving to convert Basketball Africa League (BAL) teams into permanent, investor-owned franchises, ending a qualification model that has governed the league since its 2021 launch, CNN reported on July 29, 2026.

## What the franchising plan involves

NBA Africa chief executive Clare Akamanzi told CNN the league had proved "there's elite talent on the continent" and described it as a proof of concept for premium sports brands in Africa. At the BAL's first Investor Day in May, about 100 prospective investors were briefed on owning permanent teams, according to CNN. Franchises will be sold by bidding, with prices reportedly in the tens of millions of dollars, per Akamanzi.

CNN reports the BAL has generated more than $250 million since launch and nearly 37,000 jobs, projecting $5.4 billion of economic impact by 2034. Deputy commissioner Mark Tatum cited local-ownership interest, while Amnesty International has criticised the league's partnership with the Rwandan government. No match was played; no score applies.

WNBA All-Star Chiney Ogwumike told CNN she is interested in acquiring a stake in a BAL team.

**Related:** Source Reporters' earlier sport coverage includes our [World Cup Africa briefing](sport-worldcup-africa-2026-07-15-1733.md).

**Sources:** edition.cnn.com