The World Baseball Classic has always been about more than just wins and losses -- it's about national pride, global competition, and the chance for baseball's brightest stars to share the same stage.

Members of the Iranian soccer team who chose to remain in Australia this week are far from the first to travel to a competition and stay there.

LONDON -- The picture of what NBA Europe might look like has never been clearer following a meeting Monday. Saudi Arabia's chief investment fund, some of the top European basketball and soccer powerhouses, a global streaming service, shoe conglomerate and perhaps even a figurehead for the new league were among those in the room.