Alibaba denies Tsai in deal talks with NBA's Brooklyn Nets

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Chinese Internet conglomerate Alibaba Group Holding Ltd denied on Thursday that its vice chairman, Joseph Tsai, is in advanced talks to buy a stake in the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association.

“This is false,” Alibaba spokeswoman Jennifer Kuperman said. “Joe Tsai has never talked to the seller and he is not purchasing any stake in the Brooklyn Nets.”

Two sources told Reuters earlier on Thursday that Tsai was in talks to buy a stake in the Brooklyn Nets, valuing the US basketball team at around 2.2 billion US dollars, and that a deal could be finalized in the next few weeks. They added it was possible that negotiations could collapse at the last minute.

Brooklyn Nets guard D'Angelo Russell (1) drives to the basket against New York Knicks forward Michael Beasley (8) during the first half at Madison Square Garden in New York, US, on Oct. 3, 2017. /Reuters Photo

The sources declined to speak for attribution because they are not permitted to speak to the press.

The exact size of Tsai’s possible stake could not immediately be learned.

The Brooklyn Nets could not be reached for comment.

A deal would make the Brooklyn Nets the second NBA team to be worth more than 2 billion US dollars, demonstrating the increasing value of these teams as TV networks and advertisers continue to pour money into live sports.

As more viewers choose to watch their favorite shows “on demand,” live sports still drive people to watch the games in real time – which is valued by advertisers who have time-sensitive promotions.

Last month, American casino mogul Tilman Fertitta bought the Houston Rockets for 2.2 billion US dollars, the highest price ever paid for an NBA team, according to media reports.

Source(s): Reuters