Stern Thinking About Putting Teams In China, Not Oklahoma

WASHINGTON (AP) _ NBA commissioner David Stern sees more of a need for new pro basketball teams in China than in North America. <br/><br/>Stern says 30 teams, quote, ``is a nice, round number,''

Monday, April 30th 2007, 8:01 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ NBA commissioner David Stern sees more of a need for new pro basketball teams in China than in North America.

Stern says 30 teams, quote, ``is a nice, round number,'' and that he would not recommend to NBA owners to expand.

Stern says that after the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, there will be the possibility of some joint venture between the NBA and someone in China about an NBA-sponsored and branded league in that nation.

Stern added that such a league in China is closer to happening than what he called a 20-year plan for having five franchises in Europe, and that, quote, ``domestically, we have enough teams.''

Oklahoma City is seeking an NBA franchise after hosting the New Orleans Hornets for the past two seasons.

Stern has said that Oklahoma City is the number 1 town on the league's list of candidates should a team relocate.