NBXL Introduces Expo City Dubai Innovators and Appoints Craig Hodges as First-Ever President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach
Expo City Dubai, UAE (October 5, 2024) – The NBXL, the first US-Middle East based independent professional basketball league, today announced the Expo City Dubai Innovators as the official UAE team. This comes as part Expo City Dubai signing a partnership with the NBXL, positioning Expo City Dubai as the home for UAE league matches and granting it naming rights to one of the four teams representing Dubai in the inaugural 2025 season.
Christian Villar, founder and owner of the NBXL, expressed gratitude for the partnership with Expo City Dubai: “We are honored to have one of our NBXL teams carry the Expo City Dubai name, becoming the first professional sports team to do so. Our participation in Expo 2020 Dubai connected us to its legacy, and with the Innovators, we are proud to embrace Expo City Dubai as our home. The recent AED 10 billion (US$2.7 billion) expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre, outlined in the master plan for Expo City Dubai, positions it to become the largest purpose-built indoor events venue in the region, setting new global standards for sports and entertainment.”
The Innovators are committed to attracting world-class athletes with the goal of bringing the first NBXL championship to Dubai. To lead this initiative, Craig Hodges has been appointed as the inaugural Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations. With ten seasons in the NBA, two championships with the Chicago Bulls, two NBA championships as an assistant coach with the LA Lakers, and three NBA 3-Point Shootout championships. Hodges brings invaluable experience to the team. His leadership is crucial as discussions continue with former NBA champions, all-stars, and current free agents interested in joining the Innovators.
During the Dubai Schools Games Basketball Championships from May 26-29, 2025, fans will get to meet important players, the newly appointed head coach, and witness the launch of official team merchandise. The NBXL, which has been supporting the Dubai Schools Games Basketball Championships for the past three years as part of its dedication to engaging with local youth, will now provide an opportunity for the Innovators to connect with and motivate the young generation.
The Expo City Dubai Innovators join the NJ-Pros as the first two teams confirmed in the NBXL. Additional teams from the USA and Saudi Arabia will be announced next month. Stay tuned for more updates as the NBXL leads the charge in bringing professional basketball to the UAE and beyond, with the Expo City Dubai Innovators at the forefront of this exciting journey!
For media inquiries, please contact: Info@thenbxl.com
About Expo City Dubai
• An inclusive innovation-driven, people-centric city of the future and one of five hubs on the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, Expo City Dubai is committed to maximizing its positive social, environmental and economic impact
Designed as a blueprint for sustainable urban living, its roadmap to achieving net zero by 2050 and its broader decarbonization targets raise the bar on responsible urban development
Its ecosystem supports cross-sector collaboration and provides a springboard for businesses of all sizes to scale and grow, enhancing Dubai’s position as a global centre of trade and reinforcing the UAE’s development and diversification ambitions
Its residential communities redefine urban living, exemplifying best practice in innovative, environment-friendly design with a focus on wellbeing and happiness
An incubator for innovation, it is a testbed for solutions and a platform for groundbreaking ideas that benefit both people and the planet
Packed with educational, cultural and entertainment offerings and a go-to destination for globally significant events, it celebrates human creativity and ingenuity and inspires future generations
• The legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai, Expo City Dubai connects businesses, government, organizations, educational institutions, residents and visitors, working together to drive progress and create a better, more equitable, more sustainable future for all
For media enquiries, please contact press.office@expocitydubai.ae
About NBXL
The NBXL is the first-ever independent single entity US-Middle East based professional basketball league featuring elite players from around the world
NBXL is composed of four league owned franchises representing the United States and Middle East
With an absence of an import rule, a shorter season and the introduction of an in-season tournament cup, NBXL aims to captivate audiences worldwide while fostering cultural exchange and promoting tourism opportunities
More than a decade in the making, NBXL meticulously planned its launch, engaging in extensive research and understanding the dynamics of local, national and international basketball markets
From 2009 to 2020 it operated as a professional basketball team concept playing against other professional teams and leagues worldwide to gain insight into the league
Since transforming into a league in 2020 it has been in the Middle East studying and understanding the culture, customs and basketball markets while actively growing and supporting the game at the grassroots level
In its 2025 inaugural season the NBXL looks to provide an extraordinary basketball experience for players and fans alike, transcending borders and redefining the future of the sport while becoming one of the best professional basketball leagues in the world
For more media inquiries, please contact info@thenbxl.com
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