Sky's Justin Nelson, left, and InBL Pro chief executive Parveen Batish show the Indian Panthers logo. Photo: SUPPLIED
New Zealand's top basketball competitions are expanding to feature two teams from India next year.
The Indian Panthers will be based in south Auckland, with Takanini's Pulman Arena their home base. They will have a men's NBL and a women's Tauihi team, both of which will include leading national team players from India, and internationals from America and Australia.
The two teams will also be able to sign New Zealand players.
The initiative was developed by Sky's Justin Nelson.
"By embracing the most populated nation in the world, we're opening our leagues to up to 1.4 billion potential new fans. We're also supporting India's basketball ambitions by sharing access to our two rising pro leagues,'' Nelson said.
"Bringing the Indian Panthers into our New Zealand leagues will also help develop partnership and Sky TV broadcast opportunities back into India and the Asian region. The opportunity for New Zealand government, education, tourism, agriculture, and many other industries to promote themselves to India via our Kiwi leagues and television coverage is significant.''
The Panthers are owned by InBL Pro, which runs India's national basketball league.
"Our philosophy is simple - make basketball matter more in India by showcasing the opportunities the sport presents to Indian players around the world," said InBL Pro chief executive Parveen Batish.
"Playing in these two strong New Zealand leagues will help create aspirational pathways for Indian players, which will drive participation and engagement across India.''
Basketball is one of India's fastest growing sports and Batish said the vision was for the Panthers to be one of the key teams young Indian players aspire to play for.
"We see the Panthers as being India's team and loved by Indians around the world."
Nelson foresees big opportunities from the partnership.
"New Zealand being home to players like Steven Adams is helping to elevate our profile on the global stage as a respected basketball nation. Excitingly, there is an opportunity for the Panthers to bring millions of fans with them."
The 2025 NBL schedule is set to be released in the coming weeks, while free agency for player signing will begin in early November.
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