Magic Johnson has a direct message for Adam Silver over proposed international All-Star format

NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson has sent a direct message to Adam Silver’s newly proposed international All-Star format. In a recent post on X, Johnson shared his thoughts on the new format that will potentially expand the league’s popularity to global viewers. The NBA legend hailed the idea and shared his excitement. Silver introduced a new All-Star format in 2025, but it did not gain the desired attention; rather was criticized.

The NBA is preparing to give its struggling All-Star Game a much-needed jolt. After the recent change backfired, the NBA is set to bring an international twist that could redefine the midseason event.
The format has already gained support, NBA legend Magic Johnson has recently shared his view on the exciting prospect.
“I’m excited about the possibility of replacing the current All Star Game format with an international competition. Please make this happen Commissioner Adam Silver! It would create so much excitement around the world!,” Johnson wrote on X.

Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed the league is in active discussions with the NBA Players Association and NBC to potentially overhaul the All-Star format by 2026, shifting from its traditional structure to a global competition. Potentially, a USA vs. the World showdown.
“Our All-Star Game will return to NBC next season in the middle of their coverage of the Winter Olympics. Given the strong interest we’ve seen in international basketball competitions, most recently in last summer’s Olympics in Paris, we’re discussing concepts with the players’ association that focus on NBA players representing their countries or regions instead of the more traditional formats that we’ve used in the past,” Silver told The Athletic.

The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is scheduled for February 15 at the newly built Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. “It’s not lost on us,” Silver told the AP, “that we’ll be competing in the arena at Intuit, where the basketball competition will take place in the 2028 Olympics. So I think all of those factors, when they come together, it presents an enormous opportunity for us to do something with an international competition instead of the traditional All-Star formats.”
NBC, which last aired the All-Star Game in 2002, is reportedly eager to tie the event into its Olympic narrative. “NBC is very much leaning into it, given their role,” said NBA president of league operations Byron Spruell. “Looking to do something new and different yet again, but excited about the possibility.”
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A global format also has the support of NBA stars. Giannis Antetokounmpo called the idea of USA vs. the World “the most interesting, exciting format,” adding, “That would give me extra juice to compete.” Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Luka Doncic are among the international stars who could headline the global roster.