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The NBA Finals are in full swing and the Boston Celtics have a 1-0 advantage over the underdog Dallas Mavericks. The play on the court this time of year usually gets all of the attention, but NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was stuck in the unenviable spot of trying to spin what might be the end of an era for the league. And New Orleans Pelicans fans should be paying attention.
Fans are fickle, and frustrated that the NBA on TNT's studio production may get lost in the mix. However, a late bid might save the beloved show. TNT's NBA rights push will also help small market teams like the Pelicans if it is successful.
The NBA is closing in on a $76 billion broadcasting deal a year after signing a new CBA with the National Basketball Player's Association (NBPA). That deal would see the end of Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny Smith's award-winning show. There is a late bid in the works though, and it is hard to see why the league would pass up the opportunity to win some extra positive political capital.
The extra money would not hurt either, especially when considering the boosts to franchise ownership values. The salary cap can only rise a maximum of 10% year-over-year for the life of the CBA. Any extra money is banked for the players but ownership groups would have access to funds for infrastructure improvements and luxury tax expenses. This is a win-win-win for the owners, players, and fans who will see more action and experience a more parity-driven league than in the past.
Silver apologized during a State of the League address. The Commissioner relayed that the hope is negotiations wrap up sooner rather than later but there is too much at stake, including the money on the table, to rush such a big decision.
“It’s been a long process,” Silver admitted. “It’s ongoing, and we hope to wrap it up in the relatively near term…No one likes this uncertainty. It’s on the league office to bring these negotiations to a head and conclude them as quickly as we can.”
NBA on TNT spreads national TV love
Keeping TNT in the fold means more money. It also means more national exposure opportunities for small market teams and stars. Disney (ABC and ESPN) will get glamour games and the Finals. NBC will get some NBA Playoffs inventory and the pick of the weekday lot throughout the regular season. Amazon will get its fair share of marquee names as a new broadcasting partner. The streaming era has fully invaded sports after all, and the retail giant will want All-World attractions to promote.
It is hard to find a negative in keeping a business relationship with TNT. More fans will be able to watch more games and a variety of players. Sure, there will be a lessened reliance on local broadcasts, which have been upended by Bally's bankruptcy over the past few seasons. The biggest markets have had an easier time dealing with those issues. Teams like the Pelicans were left in the lurch by Bally Sports.
Keeping TNT on board would lessen the investment needed from ownership groups for over-the-air broadcasts as local talent would be required for fewer games. Perhaps some games could be simulcast for fans with antennas to catch the local play-by-play while others stream the action. Either way, the question facing Silver is simply when it comes to giving TNT a one-game-a-week package.
Why not?
