A london team will be competing in the NBA within 10 years, according to the sport's American chief.

David Stern, the NBA's commisioner has spoken of his dream of seeing a multi-team European division as a regular part of his United States set-up.

And, with the Docklands O2 Arena considered one of the world's best venues, Stern believes a London team could soon be competing on equal terms with the Boston Celtics and LA Lakers.

Stern said: "That is sort of an optimistic approach but I've set it out as saying that's something that can happen within 10 years.

"We need the buildings, we need the increase in affinity in terms of television, and we need an economic model that works.

"But I think that in this real age of globalisation, we are getting youngsters tuning in to our websites from all over the world following our sport, and it's really fascinating to see the growth that can possibly come from that.

"If the fans say yes because they are the new generation that's playing EA games and going to NBA.com and watching our games on television, then it will happen. If they don't, it won't happen.

"But given the pace of globalisation, I think that's a real possibility."

Stern has also earmarked Berlin, Rome and Madrid as cities that will have NBA-standard arenas within the next 10 years.

He was talking at a press conference that confirmed that the New Jersey Nets and Miami Heat will play a pre-season friendly at the O2 on 12 October as part of the NBA Europe Live tour.