Swiss Basketball wants to grow and therefore appeal to more German-speaking Swiss. To this end, a strategy is being developed to become more visible.
11.10.2025, 05:00
11.10.2025, 07:29
SDA
In the Swiss Basketball League (SBL), only three of the seventeen participating teams (Starwings Basel for the men, Baden and Aarau for the women) are from German-speaking Switzerland. It is therefore clear where the association sees the greatest opportunities for growth. This week, Swiss Basketball outlined its strategy for bringing youngsters from the other side of the Saane to the hoops.
More visibility: this is Swiss Basketball's key word when it comes to describing its strategy for becoming a major sport in Switzerland. Erik Lehmann, former General Secretary, is proud of the path he has taken: "We have had the national teams play a lot in German-speaking Switzerland and have appeared at trade fairs there. But none of that is free."
Niederhäuser as a role model
The association can count on Yanic Konan Niederhäuser, who was drafted in the first round of the NBA this year, to bridge the gap between Switzerland and Austria. The German-speaking player from Fribourg who plays for the Los Angeles Clippers has everything it takes to motivate the next generation: "Yanic is approachable and sociable and has that patriotic streak," says Dan Goethals, the new General Secretary of Swiss Basketball. "He is the best example of how you can be successful if you spend part of your junior years in Switzerland."
Visibility will also be increased by broadcasting the SBL play-off games: "Thanks to a more professional production, we hope to be able to broadcast one game a week with four cameras from January," says Lehmann.
Organization of events
In order to achieve a greater presence, the organization of major events is an option that is being examined. After the U19 World Championship in Lausanne last summer, Swiss Basketball is looking into the possibility of organizing the women's European Championship finals in 2029. This is also intended to achieve a second goal.
While women currently only make up a quarter of the licensed players, they should be an important element in the growth of Swiss basketball. The creation of an U18 national team and a national women's center are being sought
Opening up to German-speaking Switzerland not only means an increase in potential athletes, but also in sponsorship income. The association will reduce some of the fees charged by the SBL clubs, but this is not enough to take Swiss basketball to a new dimension: "The German-speaking Swiss may not yet have a basketball culture, but they do have the culture of team sports," says the General Secretary confidently.
Investing in halls suitable for basketball
There is also a lack of infrastructure. Although two new halls will be inaugurated in Nyon and Lugano in 2026, the association wants to intervene in the run-up to the respective political decisions regarding gyms in order to make them suitable for basketball. "We have to go to public decision-makers and the Federal Office of Sport to release funds," says Dan Goethals. "We also advise on the construction of halls so that they are as functional as possible."
To make their projects a reality, the creators hope to create a virtuous circle by using visibility to generate the money for training, clubs and infrastructure. "Our ability to keep projects alive gives us credibility," Goethals sums up.
