Adam Silver is signaling a preference for Disney over Comcast in the pursuit for Fox. Silver mentioned Disney CEO Bob Iger when he spoke with CNBC’s Julia Boorstin:
“I’m a big Bob Iger fan. Of course Disney is one of our huge partners,” he said in Sun Valley, Idaho. “In a way, I am rooting for them, but Comcast has a lot of our [regional sports networks], and I know Brian Roberts and Steve Burke are incredible executives as well. So I think whatever happens will be positive for us.”
Silver is indicating that he's rooting for Disney, but he still manages to give a political answer. Silver is leaving the door open by saying, “whatever happens will be a positive for us.”
It makes sense that Silver would be pulling for Disney in this deal. Aside from TNT, ESPN—a Disney company—is the NBA's most important partner.
But Silver also mentioned the increase in streaming services and the different ways fans consume content. He also said that “the integration with more technology companies is a very positive move for us.” Silver wants the NBA to stay ahead of the curve and remain forward-thinking.
With the NBA's powerful partnership with Disney—a partnership which only looks to get stronger—he's likely to get his wish. Silver is “in a way” rooting for Disney to acquire Fox, and if it goes through, it should help the league.
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