London's O2 Arena Sells Out for NBA Game

The way this summer has gone for National Basketball Association Commissioner David Stern, more games outside of North America must sound very appealing.

London's 20,000-seat O2 Arena is sold out for tonight's first-ever basketball game at the venue, a Boston Celtics-Minnesota Timberwolves exhibition contest.

Stern said the league would "seriously consider the possibility" of a regular-season game in Europe, according to the Boston Globe. Stern also "placed London on a short list of candidates to host" a regular-season game, though "it would likely happen after" the 2012 London Olympics.

Stern also sees the O2 and the new arena in Berlin serving as a "catalyst for Europe-wide development." AEG, the American company that owns and operates Staples Center in Los Angeles, was the driving force behind the O2 and Berlin arenas.

"The biggest issue has always been buildings," said Stern. "Now you're talking about London, Berlin, Madrid, and one looks around and says, 'How can Milan be far behind?' All of a sudden, you have the facilities."

Now if only Stern could figure out a way to get the New York Knicks and their troubles to move somewhere in Europe...