Shane Lowry recently learned about the Ryder Cup’s influence on the NBA All-Star Game.
Lowry is a three-time Ryder Cup player and two-time winner with the European team, most recently at Bethpage Black in September.
The Irishman’s passion for representing his continent embodies everything great about the competition.
But Lowry did not know that the Ryder Cup had actually inspired commissioner Adam Silver to change the NBA All-Star Game.
Shane Lowry comments on Ryder Cup’s influence on NBA All-Star Game
Lowry discussed the Ryder Cup at the Cognizant Classic this week, where he was informed about the event’s wider impact.
The reporter mentioned that the rivalry between Europe and the United States had inspired athletes ahead of the Winter Olympics.
Lowry also learned that Silver took inspiration from the Ryder Cup when implementing a new format for the NBA All-Star Game.
“That’s pretty cool,” he reacted. “I actually haven’t heard people say that. Yeah, it is pretty cool. I think the Ryder Cup is a unique event.
“I’ve noticed that after Bethpage, the audience that it reached was much wider than a normal golf audience.
“I think it’s pretty cool for the sport to have the Ryder Cup every two years. It’s an amazing event, and I’m very lucky to be a part of it for the last three times.
“I’ll be doing everything I can for the next year and a half to be part of the one in Ireland.”
Adam Silver admitted Ryder Cup inspired NBA All-Star Game change
Basketball fans had not been impressed with the NBA All-Star Game for a while, so Silver was determined to change the format.
Having enjoyed the Ryder Cup, the commissioner introduced a mini-tournament between two American teams and an international team.
“We want to fix it,” Silver said in October. “We have a new format that has been discussed, both with the Competition Committee and now with the Board of Governors.
“It’s not official yet, but it’s in essence working off, call it a Ryder Cup-type format of US against international.”
Most people would agree that the latest All-Star Game was an improvement on previous years, and they have the Ryder Cup to thank.
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