Sacramento Kings: Ranadive Brings The NBA To His Home Country

The Sacramento Kings will play in India this weekend in an effort to make the NBA a global association.

India Trip & Air Drake

The Sacramento Kings will participate in the first-ever NBA games played in India this week against the Pacers, and they arrived in style. Owner Vivek Ranadive arranged for the team to use rapper Drake’s private jet, a Boeing 767 – 200 ER, for the 19-hour flight to Mumbai. It is a former cargo jet that was remodeled with luxurious amenities and was completed earlier this year. The Kings will travel comfortably to be stuffed in a one-size-fits-all airplane.

De’Aaron Fox contemplated how he would pass time on the long flight from Sacramento to Mumbai – maybe play video games or read. Harrison Barnes noted team activities were possible.  “Coaches have been proactive in saying that it’s going to be a long flight,” he said. “There’s going to be a lot of film being watched.”

India Opens A New Market For The Kings

With a population of about 1.3 billion people, Ranadive and the Kings can expand the NBA game to a large population of prospective new fans. Being the first NBA owner from India, it has been Vivek’s dream to have Sacramento play an NBA game in his home town. Exposing basketball and the Kings brand in India is nothing new, however.

The Kings have used Facebook Live in order to stream games all the way in India, bringing in a new audience. As a business owner, the profits from merchandise to TV rights would be lucrative. When Ranadive met with NBA officials, he often referred to India as “the next great frontier” for basketball. It is not just about money, and simply bringing the NBA to India is important.

“It can be played in rich countries. It can be played in poor countries,” Ranadive said. “Unlike cricket, it doesn’t require a lot of space. There isn’t a lot of space in a place like Mumbai.”

Remember, the Kings were also the first team to have a player of Indian descent to play in an NBA game.  On April 2, 2015, Sim Bhullar signed a 10-day contract with Sacramento. Five days later, he made history when he checked in for the final 16.1 seconds of the Kings’ 116–111 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Sacramento Will Be Well Rested

Playing an NBA game in a market where cricket is the biggest sport has been a goal of Ranadive’s since he bought the team. “I can’t even tell you how incredible and exciting that is,” Ranadive told USA Today. “It’s beyond my wildest dreams.”

It would serve the NBA to have the India Games be entertaining and competitive. By keeping the competition fun and simple while showing India what a great sport basketball is, the NBA can consider the trip a success.

With the use of Drake’s plane, Sacramento should be able to play without the effects of jet lag or usual fatigue that comes after a -15 hour international flight.  While any international exposure is good for the brand, winning the games is undoubtedly important to Ranadive. He has invested the necessary time and money to bring the sport back to his native land, and he would be proud to treat the Indians to a victory.

The Kings’ Journey Begins

The India Games mark the beginning of a season with mild expectations. New head coach Luke Walton has promised more three-point shots with better defense, and the roster is without any glaring holes at ay given position.  A much-improved bench unit may be enough to give the Kings a chance at playing beyond the regular season.

The India Games will be held on October 4th and 5th at the SPV Stadium in Mumbai.