Corporates lap up tickets for NBA priced at Rs 85,000 after Trump-Modi banter

Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, September 23

There is a sudden surge in demand for tickets for the National Basketball Association (NBA)’s fixture in Mumbai next month after President Donald Trump’s banter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Howdy Modi event in Houston, Texas last weekend.

”Very soon India will have access to another world class American product—NBA Basketball... Next week, thousands of people will gather in Mumbai to watch the first ever, NBA basketball game in India,” Trump said. “Am I invited Mr Prime Minister? I may come, be careful, I may come,” Trump reportedly went on to banter with Modi.

As the Howdy Modi event went live, tickets for the basketball game being sold online have been quickly lapped up. While the average ticket is priced at Rs 4,500 each, those wanting to watch the match between Sacramento Kings and the Indiana Pacers from the Diamond Court will have to shell out a whopping Rs 85,000 each. Officials here say most of the highest priced tickets have already been lapped up by corporate houses.

The first game on October 4 is reserved for 3,000 youth under the Reliance Foundation Junior Programme while the following on the next day is open to spectators, according to the organisers. The games are due to be played at the Dome which is part of the NSCI stadium at Worli.

According to NBA officials in Mumbai, India’s first ever floating court will be unveiled 200 metres from the pier near the Bandra-Worli sealink. Other events including a sound and light show at the city’s Gatway of India and paintings by graffiti artistes on Mumbai’s streets.

”The promotional campaign for NBA in India will run on September 28 and 29,” NBA official Diane Gouta said in a statement released here.