RealGM

During Adam Silver's media availability before Game 1 of the NBA Finals, he was asked about the league's ongoing broadcast rights negotations. The NBA is close to finalizing deals with ESPN, NBC and Amazon worth $76 billion over seasons, though a report surfaced this week that TNT hasn't been ruled on a fourth package. 

"Of course, there’s discussions with our incumbents and other interested parties," said Silver.

"It is incredibly complex. I look at my colleague Bill Koenig sitting in the front row, president of our media division, who has been literally working around the clock on this, along with a team of others at the league office. And it’s complicated for several reasons. One is the advent of new platforms, particularly streaming, and the interest of streaming companies, and then the traditional media companies also carrying our games on streaming platforms.

"It’s complicated with multiple partners all seeking similar assets. In many cases, just figuring out the right way to balance those games as they go to different partners.

"Then lastly, as you’ve said, we tend to do long-term deals. We think that’s good for the stability of the league, but it means to a certain extent you’re trying to predict the future, which is of course impossible.

"So part of it is a bet on the partners that we will ultimately align with and their ability also to adjust with the times and their willingness to continue to invest in media and also become global, which to my earlier point is very important to the league, as well."

Via RealGM Staff Report

I understand the business side of expansion, and as a fan, the building of a new team is exciting; but the parity of the league is still not there with teams like Detroit, Washington, Charlotte, etc.

If we add another 2 teams, we're watering down the talent level even more.

I wonder what the fragmented schedule does to viewership. Or does viewership even matter once the contracts are done? I don't see many fans subscribing to 3-5 different subs to watch NBA games. I'll use myself as an example...id love to watch every Pacers game but if those games are going to be spread across 3-5 different subs, I will be missing games because I have no intention of paying for so many subs.

23artest23 wrote:I wonder what the fragmented schedule does to viewership. Or does viewership even matter once the contracts are done? I don't see many fans subscribing to 3-5 different subs to watch NBA games. I'll use myself as an example...id love to watch every Pacers game but if those games are going to be spread across 3-5 different subs, I will be missing games because I have no intention of paying for so many subs.

Once they see viewership is done across the board they'll do something.

I live in Canada where games are split 50/50 across streaming services that both cost 20 dollars a month. I can tell you I only subscribe to 1 and it has significantly reduced my watching of raptors games. You just can't get into a flow if you have no games for a week.

The idea that these TV deals are going to benefit anyone outside of the NBA is nuts.

All 3 providers overpaid for what market there is out there anongst consumers, and advertisers aren't going to foot the bill if the eyeballs aren't there to see the ads.