Brian Windhorst sees Abu Dhabi’s New York partnership as a step toward NBA Europe

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst believes that New York Knicks‘ growing relationship with Abu Dhabi could serve as an early foundation for NBA plans to expand into Europe. Speaking on the latest episode of The Hoop Collective, Windhorst outlined how Abu Dhabi’s existing partnerships and global investment in the sport could position the city as a future NBA player.

“They have an interesting relationship with the Knicks,” Windhorst said. “Of course they have the Knicks sponsorship on the jersey. When you look at the Knicks you see on their jersey, it says, ‘Experience Abu Dhabi.’ And they build a sphere. A partnership with Jim Dolan, owner of the Knicks, to build a second sphere in Abu Dhabi, near the arena. And I think you’re just going to keep hearing about Abu Dhabi’s affiliation with the league, including NBA Europe, which is getting closer and closer to happening. Where I believe Abu Dhabi will eventually have a team. I guess that will be the team that the NBA plans to put in Manchester, United Kingdom, where Abu Dhabi owns Man City Football.

Abu Dhabi’s growing ties to the Knicks signal deeper involvement in the NBA

The connection between the Knicks and Abu Dhabi has expanded in recent years through sponsorships and entertainment ventures. The “Experience Abu Dhabi” logo appears on the Knicks jerseys as part of a partnership between the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism and Madison Square Garden Sports, the parent company of the Knicks. The city has also been working with Knicks owner James Dolan to build a second MSG arena in Abu Dhabi, modeled after the Las Vegas facility that opens in 2023.

Windhorst suggested that these partnerships may be more than just business collaborations, implying that they could play a role in the NBA’s European expansion strategy. According to his remarks, the Abu Dhabi ownership group could be directly involved in establishing an NBA European team, possibly based in Manchester, England — a city where they already have a large presence through Manchester City Football Club.

Abu Dhabi’s sporting portfolio extends far beyond English football. The group, under the umbrella of Citi Football Group, also owns New York City in Major League Soccer, FC Girona in Spain, Lomel SK in Belgium, Palermo in Italy and French club ESTAC Troies.

Windhorst links Abu Dhabi’s increased investment to NBA Europe expansion talks

With their deep investment in global sports infrastructure and experience in managing elite teams, Windhorst believes that Abu Dhabi’s participation in an NBA Europe franchise is the logical next step.

If the NBA were to establish a team in Manchester, it would immediately become the most prominent basketball club in England. The country currently lacks a dominant presence in European basketball, and a franchise backed financially by Abu Dhabi could reshape the region’s basketball landscape.

Windhorst’s comments follow a series of recent events that point to NBA’s growing interest in European expansion. Commissioner Adam Silver and Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum recently held meetings in London with political leaders and investors, including representatives from the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, to discuss the framework for a potential NBA Europe league.

As the NBA continues to pursue international growth, Abu Dhabi’s partnership with the Knicks may represent the first significant connection between an established NBA franchise and an up-and-coming European counterpart. The The Knicks will open the 2025-26 season on Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN.