On any given weekend, a Premier League winger might dribble past his full back, assist a late-minute goal, enter the dressing room, and immediately check NBA news and social media on his phone. Football and basketball are becoming more connected.
Bukayo Saka attended a Boston Celtics game and was pictured swapping jerseys with Jaylen Brown. Thibaut Courtois has said that whenever he gets two days off, he tries to fly to the US – whether New York, Miami, Philadelphia or Chicago – to watch a game. Romelu Lukaku has said he prefers watching NBA to football. Mauro Icardo has imitated Steph Curry’s “Night night” celebration. And for his much-mocked video message announcing that he was staying at Atletico Madrid, Antoine Griezmann chose the title “The Decision”, mimicking LeBron James.
But what’s behind this connection, and why do footballers follow the NBA?
Shared athlete mindset
Elite footballers and basketball players live in similar worlds. They train year-round, perform under intense scrutiny, and carry the expectations of clubs, fans, and sponsors. Footballers recognise the pressure of a last second free throw – they’ve faced similar situations with late penalties, penalty shootouts, and one-on-ones with goalkeepers.
The shared pressure encourages respect. Footballers know what it’s like to thrive under that pressure, to feel fear, and sometimes, to crumble under that pressure. Drew Peterson, a mental performance consultant who has worked in the NBA, WNBA, the Olympics and American football, has said “Fear is the basis of all human psychology”. Professional footballers will understand why a basketball pro like Ben Simmons or Markelle Futz suffers from “the yips”, even when a free-throw might look easy to fans.
In return, NBA players admire footballers for the same performance under pressure, their stamina, and technical skills. The mutual appreciation builds a kind of cross-sport fraternity.
Digital media
With the internet, sports are more intertwined. Major YouTube channels, like the Premier League and Sky Sports NZ, have quizzed Premier League players on their basketball knowledge. Football betting and basketball betting options are hosted on the same sites. And then there are NBA players who support Premier League teams: James is a part owner of Liverpool; Luka Doncic is a Real Madrid fan (and played for their basketball team before moving to the States); and Kevin Durant is a part owner of PSG (and says Paris is “deeply close to [his] heart”).
Social media has boosted the connection, even if it doesn’t always help footballers: Marcus Rashford received intense criticism for travelling to watch an NBA game while Manchester United were in poor form. Rashford has been one of the most prominent supporters of basketball. In 2022, he appeared on an episode of the Uninterrupted with James; the pair discussed the effects of racism. Basketball influenced football during the Black Lives Matters protests, with players in the Premier League and Championship taking a knee before kick offs.
Fast-paced game
The NBA’s schedule seems pretty much tailor-made for footballers. There are plenty of matches, highlights are easily available, and games often take place late at night in Europe, meaning they’re ideally timed after footballers have played themselves.
The constant scoring and rapid transitions offer a contrast to football’s slower build up (especially now with more teams taking short goal kicks and playing out from the back). Football fans will know of basketball’s rhythm even without watching a game, thanks to commentators likening end-to-end matches to basketball. For athletes who spend their days learning more intricate tactical patterns, the NBA might feel like pure entertainment.
Style, fashion, and cultural crossover
The NBA is a significant driver of style. Seeing stars like James blend sport with fashion and business ventures encourages footballers to explore their own styles.
The crossover is seen in music and across pop culture. Basketball’s close ties to hip-hop and streetwear align with the interests of younger footballers. Shared sponsors and collaborative campaigns reinforce the overlap. Adidas’ “Impossible is Nothing” campaigns have featured James Harden and Lionel Messi. (And Harden has watched Messi play for Inter Miami.) Similarly, Nike’s “Risk Everything” campaigns have featured James, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. The latter is a big NBA fan and even featured in a Disney+ live reaction watch party for the playoffs last year.
Global icons and personal heroes
Many footballers grew up watching NBA games, or highlights, alongside Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and Champions League matches. TV and films in the 1990s and 2000s turned basketball stars into household names across Europe, Africa, and Asia. Players like Michael Jordan became symbols of excellence that transcended sport.
Today’s generation often cites NBA stars as personal inspirations. Seeing athletes build legacies beyond their sport encourages footballers to think about their own long-term impact.
