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What Do You Give the Former President Who Has Everything? Minority Ownership in NBA Africa, Of Course

Former President Barack Obama will help grow the game of basketball in the motherland.

Our Forever President Barack Obama, who abandoned foreign policy in order to drop podcasts, curate playlists, and launch a cinematic universe that would put Marvelโ€™s to shame, is now a strategic partner and minority owner of NBA Africa because of course, he is.

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NBA.com reports that his new role will โ€œhelp advance the leagueโ€™s social responsibility efforts across the continent, including programs dedicated to supporting gender equality, and economic inclusion.โ€ Additionally, his minority stake in the blossoming league will be used to fund Obama Foundation youth and leadership programs across Africa.

โ€œThe NBA has always been a great ambassador for the United Statesโ€”using the game to create deeper connections around the world, and in Africa, basketball has the power to promote opportunity, wellness, equality, and empowerment across the continent,โ€ Obama said in a statement. โ€œBy investing in communities, promoting gender equality, and cultivating the love of the game of basketball, I believe that NBA Africa can make a difference for so many of Africaโ€™s young people. Iโ€™ve been impressed by the leagueโ€™s commitment to Africa, including the leadership shown by so many African players who want to give back to their own countries and communities. Thatโ€™s why Iโ€™m proud to join the team at NBA Africa and look forward to a partnership that benefits the youth of so many countries.โ€

https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1420135139347034112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

While the terms of Obamaโ€™s equity stake were not disclosed, the man we still wish was president joins former NBA stars Grant Hill, Dikembe Mutombo, Joakim Noah, and others in increasing access to basketball and the NBA in Africa through social responsibility, corporate partnerships, and other initiatives.

โ€œWe are honored that President Obama has become a strategic partner in NBA Africa and will support our wide-ranging efforts to grow the game of basketball on the continent,โ€ NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. โ€œIn addition to his well-documented love for basketball, President Obama has a firm belief in Africaโ€™s potential and the enormous growth opportunities that exist through sports. NBA Africa will benefit tremendously from his engagement.โ€

Considering Obamaโ€™s well-documented love affair with all things basketball, this sounds like a marriage that will stand the test of timeโ€”much like the one he already has with our forever first lady, Michelle.

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