HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports

Growing up the child of travel executives, Heidi Ueberroth had a chance to see the world. In ways that aren’t always obvious, the experiences shaped her career path.

Given her background and her father’s influence — Peter Ueberroth was the president of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee for the1984 Summer Games and Major League Baseball commissioner from 1984 to 1989 — it’s no surprise Heidi Ueberroth is the president of NBA International. She heads the league’s ambitious efforts to make the NBA even more popular worldwide through business and grassroots programs.

“Certainly, our philosophy is that it starts with the game and what happens on the court, and you also have got to be a part of helping drive participation. That’s a fundamental for us,” Ueberroth said.

Because of last season’s lockout, the NBA did not play outside of North America for preseason or regular-season games. But the league is back with a strong international presence in 2012-13, playing preseason games in Istanbul, Berlin, Milan, Mexico City, Barcelona, Beijing and Shanghai — all sellouts according to the NBA – and a regular-season game in London between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons on Jan 17.

The Dallas Mavericks play Barcelona in Barcelona today, and the defending champion Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers play twice in China — in Beijing on Thursday and in Shanghai on Sunday. The Mavericks and Boston Celtics were in Europe last week, and the Orlando Magic and New Orleans Hornets played in Mexico City on Sunday.

“These games are really important in our efforts to bring the NBA and the experience closer to the fans,” Ueberroth said.

The global market has long been on NBA Commissioner David Stern’s agenda. He once floated the idea of NBA expansion into Europe.

While the league is not ready for that, pushing deeper into international markets remains a top priority. Of North American team sports, basketball can make the argument it has the biggest global appeal.

To make it work, the NBA uses a two-pronged approach. The product on the floor spurs fans to play the game, which creates a cycle of more … [For more on NBA's international growth on rise as China hosts twice, click here.]