It is rare that the NHL and the NBA have something in common, but sometimes it happens. The recent departure of Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Childress to Europe has people questioning the title of the NBA as the top basketball league in the world. Similarly, early this summer the Kontinental Hockey League (the replacement for the Russian Super League) tried to pry Evgeni Malkin from the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Malkins turned them down. He was offered more money but chose to stay with the Penguins instead of returning to his homeland. The NBA is not about to lose its stars either, but respected and valued veterans in the NBA and the NHL have openly said that they would consider the move.

The value of the Euro is a sure factor and the fact that the salary is post taxes helps the decision as well. The fact that teams in either league can count on the simple reputation to keep the best players in the world is really the most shocking development. By shocking I do not mean disgusting, just that the rest of the world (at least Europe) seems to have caught up to us in the business of sports. No longer is Europe seen as the minor leagues in professional sports.

Player will still love to be the reason fans buy New York Islanders tickets, New Jersey Devils tickets, or Boston Celtics tickets. Still the reality and politics of professional sports may spread the talent over the globe more equally.

No longer is the United States or North America every athlete’s desired destination. Plenty of players have been choosing Europe and Russia for years, its just this is the first time we have noticed an American choosing overseas to playing in his homeland.