Obama desires to own NBA team after presidency—report

US President Barack Obama AFP

As US President Barrack Obama’s tenure inside the White House comes to an end, one of his aides said he’s already pondering other career pursuits.

The head of state, whose affinity for basketball has been documented since he assumed office, is said to be contemplating on entering the world of NBA by owning a team.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest told ESPN on Thursday that Obama had “discussed” the idea of joining an NBA franchise’s ownership group, but that it would only be an option “potentially under the right circumstances.”

The President also revealed his dream of calling the shots from an NBA front office one day, in an interview with GQ last November.

“I have fantasized about being able to put together a team and how much fun that would be. I think it’d be terrific,” Obama said when asked if he would ever want to own a sports franchise.

Obama is an avid fan of his hometown’s Chicago Bulls and was present courtside when the team took on eventual NBA champions Cleveland Cavaliers at their 2015-16 season opener in United Center last October.

He also appeared during a collegiate game between the Georgetown Hoyas and Duke Blue Devils at Verizon Center in Washington, DC, in January 2010.

Obama’s aspiration, however, won’t come cheap, as he’d have to pool quite a bit of cash since the average NBA team is currently valued at $1.25 billion, according to a Forbes report. Khristian Ibarrola