NBA Commissioner David Stern is interviewed in a Money
section Cover Story by USA TODAY's Michael McCarthy, who
writes that Stern's definition of "convergence" in the
league is the "Internet, TV ... and basketball." Stern:
"Two years ago, I couldn't spell Internet executive. Now I
[am] one." Stern adds, "The Internet and broadband will
ultimately redefine the fan experience in all of sports."
The Bonham Group Chair Dean Bonham said of the Internet's
impact: "Look at the AOL-Time Warner deal. Anybody that
doesn't think TV and the Internet are going to be the same
appliance in the next decade has their head in the sand.
And David Stern does not have his head in the sand."
McCarthy writes that Stern "sees himself not as a sports
executive but as CEO of a global entertainment empire."
McCarthy adds that Stern's plans include developing nba.com
into a "basketball portal" and enhancing NBA.com TV, which
launched in November. Stern said of NBA.com TV, "[It's] a
tease of what streamed video will look like. It's a preview
of broadband." Stern would also like to revamp the NBA
Store on NBA.com, explore the possibility of an IPO and run
numerous other cross promotions (USA TODAY, 1/21).
