'They are dream investors': Inside the billion-dollar Middle East race to control the future of basketball

The article discusses the growing influence of Middle Eastern investors in the global basketball industry. It highlights the NBA's efforts to expand its reach and secure lucrative partnerships with wealthy entities from the region, such as Abu Dhabi. The Middle East's vast financial resources and desire to diversify their economies have made them attractive targets for the NBA, which sees these investments as crucial to its future growth. The article suggests that this deepening relationship between the NBA and the Middle East could lead to increased scrutiny and potential concerns, as the league seeks to balance its commercial interests with the political and human rights considerations associated with some of its new partners. However, the article also notes that the Middle Eastern investors are seen as "dream investors" for the NBA, given their ability to provide substantial capital and help the league extend its global footprint.