OKC plans partnership with german BBBL team Bayern Munich

[Drax]

Der FC Bayern München hat einen prominenten Partner gefunden. Die Münchner Basketballer schließen eine Partnerschaft mit den Oklahoma City Thunder aus der NBA, was die Zusammenarbeit genau beinhaltet, ist allerdings noch offen.

"Wir werden mit Oklahoma kooperieren", bestätigte Bayern-Coach Svetislav Pesic: "Sie waren erstaunt, was wir im Basketball in wenigen Jahren aufgebaut haben."

http://www.spox.com/de/sport/mehrsport/ ... sliga.html

The german NBA.com partner website spox.com just released a new article that the Thunder are planing a cooperation with the Beko Basketball Bundesliga Team Bayern Munich. No detials on what is part of the deal were released, but a group of OKC scouts and front office members are currently in europe to discuss a partnership?

What do you guys think of such a deal? A farmteam for OKCs euro-prospects? Good, bad, groundbreaking?

*edit* the boldet quote translation: "We will cooperate with Oklahoma," confirmed Bayern coach Svetislav Pesic: "They were amazed at what we have built in basketball in a few years."

[bondom34]

I'm intrigued at the least, I'll be keeping an eye out as for what's planned. I'm wondering if it will be something similar to a euro-d league type team, only with better players. I like the idea for sure, as the team has a few prospects overseas!

[Podirk]

It seems like a few months ago the Thunder brought in a well respected agent, coach, or something of the sort from overseas to handle their overseas business. Spurs usually do well overseas, and Presti coming from that background will surely do the same (and has). I don't know if ground breaking is the word, but it could be pretty big depending on how things work legally.

Currently Pleiss' buyout is a lot larger if he is bought out by a non-NBA team, his current team struggles financially..so Bayern pays the larger buyout, restructures his deal and sends him on his way. Now I don't know if all that is possible/legal/etc, but you can see some quick benefits beyond building relationships and spreading the Thunder brand.

[Balkman32]

I would love to watch a game with the guys we have draft rights to all on the same floor. Great idea! Great move!

[DontH8TheBrody]

Really like this. Would be awesome to see guys like Abrines and Pleiss play together.

Could also incorporate the OKC systems and get the guys ready for the NBA. Exciting! Love Presti and how he is always thinking outside the box.

[Podirk]

Read from an ESPN reporter/analyst that NBA and foreign teams can only partner in as far as giving over scouting information, etc. Thunder hand over NCAA and DLeague : Bayern hand over Euroleague info, etc. Not sure how far that relationship can go beyond that.

None the less interesting to see where it goes.

[Bravenewworld]

I love this idea.

[comingbacktousa]

I think this is more of a business decision rather than anything else. Bayern Munich is one of the best if not the best soccer team in the world. I also believe they have their own tv channel or broadcasting system similiar to what the yankee's have with the YES network. So if OKC is negotiating having their games shown on that network it is potentially a huge business deal and in my mind makes them a big market team.

If that is true, its very good for OKC's chances at keep Durant even without a championship. CAA the actual agency that Jayz's company is basically a front for his huge in the soccer market having signed Beckham and Christiano Ronaldo in the past.

The whole reason for Durant to go to a bigger market would be to expand his brand or be better chance at winning. I doubt a team can give a Durant a better chance at winning than the Thunder. So if OKC can catch up on the bigger market for his brand using Germany in this case, it could be even the playing field there.

It'll be interesting what direction this "partnership" takes.

[Loud_city]

I like this and am intrigued to hwere the relationship can go.