Former President Obama joins NBA Africa as strategic partner

Former President Barack Obama is joining NBA Africa as a strategic partner, with goals to "help advance the league's social responsibility efforts across the continent," the National Basketball Association announced Tuesday. In his role, Obama will have a minority equity stake in the organization, which conducts the NBA's business in Africa. 

"I've been impressed by the league's commitment to Africa, including the leadership shown by so many African players who want to give back to their own countries and communities," Mr. Obama, who is of Kenyan descent, said in a statement. "That's why I'm proud to join the team at NBA Africa and look forward to a partnership that benefits the youth of so many countries." Created in May in collaboration International Basketball Federation, NBA Africa runs the Basketball Africa League (BAL) — the first internationally-operated professional league from the NBA. The NBA said in a statement that NBA Africa is focused on "expanding the NBA's presence in priority African markets and Africa's basketball ecosystem."