The NBA’s equity portfolio is now approaching nearly 20 companies, with a total value of nearly $1 billion, with roughly half of those deals coming over the last year.
According to David Haber, the NBA’s chief financial officer. the league has been active in surveying the market for new opportunities and is in constant communication with startups.
The NBA has met with venture capital companies to inform them that the league’s equity arm exists.
Six months ago, the NBA hired an executive with an extensive history of creating and fueling new startup companies.
Last December, the NBA board of governors approved a new team within the league office, one that sought out investments in outside companies. This investment arm, NBA Equity, is an expansion of an already-existing operation but has accelerated the league’s interests.