An interview with Travis Murphy, Former Lead of NBA’s International Government Affairs and CEO of Jetr Global

Interview by Leroy Adams

As countries prepare for global sporting events like the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, questions around athlete visas, immigration policy, and diplomacy are becoming increasingly urgent. We spoke with Travis, who leads international affairs at Jeter Global, to unpack how sports diplomacy influences U.S. policy, what international athletes go through to play in American leagues, and why the U.S. isn’t as ready for major events as it should be.

Culture Travels: You're in New York for the NBA Draft, where Duke player Khaman Maluach — a projected first-round pick from South Sudan — has been in the news. There were concerns he could face deportation due to recent visa restrictions. What’s the current situation?

Travis: South Sudan’s visa access was canceled by the U.S. State Department back in April. Fortunately, Khaman was already in the U.S. as a student-athlete, so his visa status wasn’t immediately affected. But now that he’s entering the NBA, he’ll need to transition to a P-1 visa — the standard for pro athletes. That involves coordination with Duke, his reps, and the State Department. The main challenge now isn’t staying in the U.S., it’s leaving and being able to return for games and training camps abroad.

Culture Travels: What’s the typical process for international players joining a U.S. sports league?

Travis: It’s a two-step process. First, they apply for a P-1 visa through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. If approved, they must then schedule an interview at a U.S. embassy in their country to finalize the visa. Once they arrive in the U.S., Customs and Border Protection can still question or even deny entry — and that’s where things have gotten more unpredictable. We’re seeing more aggressive screening and denials at ports of entry.

Culture Travels: Has political ideology ever played a role in whether an athlete is accepted?

Travis: Not on our end. Teams are focused on talent and eligibility — not politics. But yes, government agencies like Homeland Security and State do screen more carefully now. We’re seeing more cases where political affiliations or assumptions about ideology can trigger deeper scrutiny, especially for athletes from countries on watchlists or travel bans.

Culture Travels: You’ve said that sports diplomacy is a powerful tool. How do visa denials — like what happened to the Senegalese women’s basketball team — impact international relationships?

Travis: They absolutely affect relationships. When athletes can’t get visas to compete or train in the U.S., it sends a message. I think it’s no coincidence that when the Vice President thanked China for facilitating visas, it was a diplomatic nudge. If the U.S. won’t welcome teams, other countries will — and that shapes global influence.

Culture Travels: The U.S. is hosting the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics. On a scale of 1–10, how ready is the country in terms of visa and immigration infrastructure?

Travis: I'd say a 5. There are talented people at State who understand the stakes, but our systems are outdated. No mobile application options, inconsistent embassy software, and a lot of red tape. Athletes still have to bring stacks of paperwork in person. These are institutional issues that need urgent fixes before 2026.

Culture Travels: For our readers who may not know, tell us about Jeter Global and what you all do.

Travis: We're a sports policy and immigration firm based in DC. The U.S. doesn’t have a federal ministry of sports — so we fill that gap. We work at the intersection of sports and government, helping streamline immigration for athletes, advising lawmakers, and ensuring the U.S. is positioned to host global events and welcome international talent.

Culture Travels: Final question — what’s your favorite part of being at the NBA Draft?

Travis: The joy. It’s pure energy. Kids like Khaman — who fled South Sudan as a refugee and now might be drafted into the NBA — remind us why we do this work. Sports can change lives, and when we support these athletes, we're not just changing their future — we’re building bridges across the world.