The NBA "was for all intents and purposes out of
business" six months ago, but "now the story is very
different," as the "fans are back, the arenas are packed and
television ratings, while off slightly from last year, are
higher than anyone had anticipated," according to Tyler
Mathisen of CNBC's "Business Center," who said that the
story today "is not of the NBA's demise, but of its
remarkable resilience." But the league's licensing
revenues, a $3B "honeypot three years ago, are off sharply
because of the lockout" and Michael Jordan's retirement.
SGB Editor Cory Bronson: "The past four, five, maybe six
years running, retailers have told us that Chicago Bulls
merchandise has driven close to 80% of NBA property sales.
Michael Jordan single-handedly drove 90% of that alone."
Retailers were fearing an 80% drop for NBA merchandise
sales, but Bronson says that that number "is looking more
like a steep but temporary 50% slump" (CNBC, 6/17).
NIGHTS OF THE ROUNDTABLE: MSNBC's John Hockenberry
hosted a roundtable talk on the state of the NBA last night.
NBC's Bob Costas: "I think the legacy of the lockout is that
the league accomplished something worthwhile." Rockets F
Charles Barkley: "Considering how mad the fans were during
the lockout, I've got to take my hat off to David Stern and
NBC because we survived this." David Stern discussed the
possibility of placing an age minimum for entry into the
NBA. Stern: "It's easy to say that kids should go get their
degrees ... and I'd like to see, after a lot of hemming and
hawing about it, some age limit." When asked what the
number would be, Stern replied: "Oh, 19 or 20." When
Hockenberry noted that it's "likely an age issue" would be
court-tested, Stern replied: "Not a problem" (MSNBC, 6/16).
