David Stern: Heimsyfirráð eða dauði

The NBA envisions having franchise teams in European cities, although commissioner David Stern said Thursday there was no timetable for that to happen.

"There's some good possibility over the course of many years, that if there's appropriate arena development in Europe, there could be actual NBA franchises in Europe," he said. "That's the way we see the development of basketball in the world."

In addition to European expansion, Stern said the NBA also sees affiliated leagues in other continents.

"The model in Asia, probably in Latin America, possibly in Africa will lead us -- if there's adequate arena development -- to having NBA affiliated leagues, with partners in local basketball federations," Stern said.

HookUp:  ESPN.com