The NBA has formed a joint venture with Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) to design and develop between 12 and 25 multipurpose arenas in major cities throughout China. AEG operates over 90 major facilities worldwide including London’s O2 arena, Berlin’s O2 World, and the Staples Center in Los Angeles. NBA commissioner David Stern did not say when the plan would be starting, or where the buildings would be located. (Imagine that 12 to 25 Bird’s Nest Stadiums all across China.)

The first facility is believed to be in Shanghai. The Shanghai arena must be ready as a centerpiece of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, which Chinese officials estimate will attract more than 700 million visitors. The 18,000-seat arena will be a center of cultural events and shopping as well, and the joint venture will manage it. The facility would be equivalent to a Madison Square Garden in New York. NBA China and AEG will have a $28 million stake in the Shanghai arena project. The total cost of the Shanghai project is expected to be $277 million.

The entire plan for 12 to 25 arenas will take decades to complete the project which includes adding new arenas built from the ground up and renovating existing ones over the next 20 years. Besides acting as a sports venue, the new facilities will offer other amenities. Possible enhancements include arenas developed in conjunction with surrounding cultural and entertainment districts potentially comprised of restaurants, retail outlets, cinemas, hotels, residential areas, sports training facilities and smaller live entertainment venues.

In China, the NBA has a huge fan base, and Houston Rockets center Yao Ming was one of the biggest stars of this year’s Beijing Olympics. The NBA already has broadcast relationships with 51 Chinese telecasters, including a partnership of more than 20 years with national broadcaster CCTV.

NBA building arenas in China