NBA tightens belt in US but eyes expansion

The National Basketball Association is laying off nine per cent of its work force over worries about the US economy, but is looking to expand operations in China, Commissioner David Stern said.

"We made a decision some months ago that the economy was going to be a bit wobbly, so we began a belt-tightening that will result in a work force reduction of about nine per cent domestically," Stern told reporters.

This translates into about 80 jobs, he later told Reuters.

"There is a season-ticket renewal rate decline, and new sales are also being hit," he said. "My guess is when (the regular season) kicks off, we will be down modestly in season ticket sales."

Stern, speaking ahead of an NBA pre-season game at London's O2 arena, also announced that the league would work with sports and entertainment group AEG to build at least a dozen "NBA-style" arenas in China.

The joint venture would see between 12 and 25 arenas and entertainment districts built in major cities throughout China, Stern and AEG Chief Executive Timothy Leiweke told reporters.

AEG operates over 90 major facilities worldwide including London's O2 arena, Berlin's O2 World, and the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.