• Melco and East Asia Super League co-hosted the Macau Classic basketball event.
• The Macau Classic showcased Melco’s commitment to the Greater Bay Area through basketball and economic growth.

In early December, the East Asia Super League (EASL), in partnership with Melco Resorts & Entertainment (Melco), co-organized the “Macau Classic”. The organizers highlighted that these two games marked the midpoint of the EASL season and emphasized Macau’s rising status as a host for high-profile sporting events.

The EASL is the premier championship league for basketball in East Asia, bringing together the top men’s club teams from regional basketball powerhouses including Taiwan (China), Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Macau.

A press conference at Studio City before the games served to heat up excitement and reaffirm EASL’s long-term commitment to the Greater Bay Area.

Kevin Benning, the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Studio City, expressed his gratitude to the other co-organizers and mentioned that Melco is committed to working with the Macao SAR Government to help transform Macau into a “City of Sports”.

He said, “May I take this opportunity to say thank you to Henry and the team at EASL for organizing this remarkable event, and for bringing such high-caliber Asian  basketball matchups once again to Studio City. We are dedicated to supporting EASL in elevating Asian basketball in Macau and the Greater Bay Area.”

“We are also deeply appreciative of the Sports Bureau for its unwavering support in promoting and nurturing a vibrant sports culture in Macau. The “EASL Macau Classic” event marks yet another significant moment in our ongoing efforts to help boost Macau’s tourism offerings through the integration of Tourism + Sports’”.

“We will continue to collaborate with the government to contribute by bringing more high-profile international sport events to the city, supporting the ‘1+4’ development  strategy to enhance economic diversification.”

At the media event, several key players contributing to EASL’s success in the region shared insights on the league’s impact. Attendees included Henry Kerins, EASL’s Chief Executive Officer, alongside Melo’s Kevin Benning, Macau Black Bears GM Lukas Peng and head coach Garrett Kelly. They also discussed Melco and EASL’s role in regional sports and economic transformation. Luis Gomes, President of the Sports Bureau of the Macau SAR Government, also attended the event.

Kerins expressed pride in integrating sports into the economic and cultural landscape of the Greater Bay Area, noting that the League is proud to have expanded to Macau and Hong Kong, showing that high-level basketball can drive tourism, boost economic development and inspire communities.

Benning added, “We are thrilled to showcase not only the incredible talent on the court, but also the vibrant culture and energy that Macau has to offer.

“Melco and Studio City are committed to offering more innovative and inspirational tourism and entertainment experiences to both the residents of Macau and guests from around the world.”

In Macau, EASL collaborates with Melco’s Studio City, which has established the Studio City Event Center as the home court for the Macau Black Bears. The organizers noted that this partnership, along with strong support from the Macau Sports Bureau, has enhanced Macau’s capability to host world-class events and its role as a center for premier sports events in the Greater Bay Area. Highlight matches, including the Macau Black Bears’ 111-97 victory over the defending KBL champions Busan KCC Egis, have further cemented Macau’s reputation as a venue for top-tier basketball events.

The “Macau Classic” featured two main events, including Asian basketball star Jeremy Lin and the New Taipei Kings against the Macau Black Bears, along with a matchup between the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Suwon KT Sonicboom.

EASL stated that as the league’s influence continues to grow in Macau and the Greater Bay Area, it remains committed to contributing to the region’s long-term development, solidifying Macau’s position as a global leader in sports and entertainment.

According to EASL, its 2024-25 season features seven Greater Bay Area games, including the “Macau Classic”.

Co-hosting community events to foster youth development
Beyond the games, Melco teamed up with EASL for a community outreach event, inviting over 80 participants including students from the Concórdia School for Special Education and members of the Macau Special Olympics to meet with players and coaches of the Macau Black Bears.

The event, kicked off with welcome speeches from He Guo Sing, Head of Students’ Leisure Arrangement at Concórdia School for Special Education, and Siu Yu Hong, National Director of Macau Special Olympics.

Hosted by EASL Regional Marketing Manager, Jesse Lam, the event saw Macau Black Bears team players and the head coach share their inspirational stories with the students, offering views on how they overcome obstacles to reach their personal and professional goals.

The students and players then enjoyed some friendly matches and training sessions together, followed by the team presenting souvenirs to the students as memorabilia before wrapping up the session.

Akiko Takahashi, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff to Melco Chairman & CEO, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “Melco aims to always encourage individuals to follow their dreams and maximize their potential. We are glad to collaborate with EASL once again this year, to invite the city’s very own professional basketball team Macau Black Bears to join us for this community-focused event. We hope the students found the session inspiring and beneficial for their growth and development.”

EASL is dedicated to promoting community involvement and supports over 50 young athletes from Macau through its “Future Champions Camp.”