David Stern, the National Basketball Association (NBA) commissioner, first outlined expansionist plans at the 2002 All-Star game in Philadelphia. "It will take a little longer than 2010 but it would be great for everyone," he said about a desire to take NBA competition into Europe. "It wouldn't surprise me [that there might be] a very strong international presence. Realistically, if there are new buildings in Europe and if our sport continues to grow, there is a good possibility that there would be NBA franchises in Europe by the end of the decade."

He did not commit then on precise details but revealed that he hoped to have a plan which could be implemented "in three to four years". Last night, during the 2008 All-Star weekend in New Orleans, Stern reiterated his desire to see some kind of European participation in the NBA but he did not delve much further into specifics. Like the Premier League, the NBA has global aspirations and the great conundrum is how to make these aspirations viable.

The scope of the NBA's influence worldwide is impressive. NBA games and programming reach 215 countries and territories in 41 languages via 202 international TV partners. In China, a marketplace that is rich for exploitation, NBA games are shown on 51 broadcasts, including national channel China Central TV. Throughout Europe 75 TV stations in 46 countries broadcast the world's best basketball players in competition and in Latin America 46 countries show the games via 37 broadcast partners in five languages.

Over 200 licensees market NBA products which are promoted worldwide and sold in more than 100,000 stores in 100 countries on six continents and a quarter of all merchandise sales are generated from outside the US. There are NBA offices in London, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Taipei, Paris, Toronto and Mexico City, which is testament to the way in which the NBA sees its future. Yao Ming, the Houston Rockets centre from Shanghai, will be one of the biggest global stars of the 2008 Olympics - and not only because he stands 7ft6ins.

While Stern's vision has still to be acted out in any meaningful way, there is no apparent resistance from within the game (how Richard Scudamore, the Premier League's chief executive, must envy him). Steve Nash, the Phoenix Suns' point guard, articulated the widely-held view among players on Friday that the NBA's continued expansion into foreign fields is positive for the game. "I'm open to it and, though I can't really say how good or bad it would be, ultimately, the reality now is that our game is very global," said Nash, the son of a former semi-professional footballer from London. "The NBA is thought of as the number one [basketball] league in the world, so for us to spread into Europe is a realisitic possibility in time. The logistics are scary but, with travel becoming more feasible and the world of communication fully exploited, there's no reason why it can't work in time."

More than 40 years ago Nash's father played non-league football with Glenn Hoddle's father at Ware. Although he moved with his family to South Africa when he was two years old - and later to Canada - Nash has maintained his allegiance to Tottenham Hotspur over the years and he travels to see them play as frequently as he can. His younger brother, Martin, played in midfield for Stockport County between 1996 and 1998 and he continues to play for Vancouver Whitecaps. Nash will make sure that he is able to watch Spurs play Chelsea in next Sunday's Carling Cup final.

"We're due and it will be a great day out for all Tottenham fans," he said. "The players have worked extremely hard under the new manager and it's going to be a great day. [Spurs manager] Juande Ramos is fantastic, he has instilled incredible discipline in the squad and high fitness levels. He has a very straightforward and clear vision of how he wants the team to play and there's no uncertainty. The players know what's expected of them and they have the makings of a great team. You always think of [Dimitar] Berbatov because he's special but Robbie Keane's had as good a strike record in the Premier League as anyone over the last few years. We've got to be solid at the back, so if Ledley King could play, that would be great and maybe Jonathan Woodgate can play alongside him. Then if Jermaine Jenas has a great game and gets all over the park, we'll be all right and, like Tottenham supporters all over the world, I'll definitely be watching."

Nash suggested that the fans of Premier League clubs should have the final say over whether a competitive fixture should be played overseas. "It depends what you want. You can't expect fans to travel overseas but, if you want the Premier League to grow and become the league in the world, then it's a great thing for the Premier League to play games overseas," he said. "But if you want to keep your league's tradition and ensure that fans are able to get to games, then it's not what you want to see. There has to be a balance of what the fans really want out of their league. It's good for the market share but, if you're talking about maintaining traditions, no it's not good. You're thinking outside the box, you're building a new model and you're creating opportunities that are totally outside of the traditions of the Premier League or of national football.

"I do think that there's a market here [for Premier League soccer] and the Premier League is really growing. Spurs are a famous old club and, if some of that tradition and some of the football they play were highlighted people here, there would be more fans of Spurs. It's not really important to me [what the Premier League decides]. I'd be open to both [scenarios]. I'd be open to the Premier League chasing a platform in the wider world because I think the passion of the fans and the tradition is worthy. But at the same time I think it's through the passion of the fans that you have to respect their wishes. It should be up to the fans, season ticket holders and lifelong fans who have supported the same team as their parents and grandparents. I don't think the Premier League have to explore [the possibility of a 39th game played overseas] but if they feel like the fans and the clubs are demanding more, then definitely explore it. If they don't feel like they are, I think the fans should continuously speak up and say, 'This is what we want to support.' Ultimately, they should decide."