Largest NBA Store outside US opens in Manila

The largest NBA Store outside the US and the league’s first in Southeast Asia has officially opened in Manila last Saturday attended by three-time NBA All-Star Richard “Rip” Hamilton from the Detroit Pistons.Managed by International Athletic Trading Company, Inc., the NBA Store covers one thousand square meters over two floors stacked full of NBA merchandise and memorabilia from all 30 teams, including apparel and footwear by Adidas, the official outfitter of the NBA. Exclusive to the NBA Store are personalized jerseys, a selection of autographed memorabilia and NBA lifestyle and off court apparel and accessories.In a statement, Melvin Lloyd Lim, President and CEO of International Athletic Trading Company said that the NBA Store will be a destination for future NBA activities.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMoX59FRor0The launch last 6 December at Glorietta 3 in the Ayala Center became a meet-and-greet event with the former NBA star and an introduction to the NBA Store’s one-of-a-kind interactive zone where fans can practice the hoops and measure their hands, feet and height against their favorite players. The first 300 visitors received special prizes, NBA Store gift certificates, personalized jerseys, a chance to win limited edition footwear and other merchandise.This marks the league’s second business in the Philippines, following the opening of Asia’s first NBA Café at the SM Aura Mall, Taguig in September. The hoops-themed restaurant is operated and managed by Hoopla Inc.READ ALSO: LOOK Asia’s first NBA Cafe opens in Manila“It is fitting that the Philippines should also have the largest NBA Store outside of the U.S.,” said Scott Levy, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for NBA Asia.NBA Asia country manager Carlo Singson told Marketing in an earlier story that the Philippines has the most number of NBA fans outside the US, with around 40 million people.