Unlike the NFL, NHL, MLB and several colleges, the NBA
"charges Internet users to listen to radio broadcasts on
their computers," according to John Manasso of the ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION, who notes that the NBA does offer "one free
game each night." In an e-mail, Mavs Owner Mark Cuban
backed the league's policy: "Given the expense of streaming,
and the value to the customer of streaming, I think it makes
total sense to charge for League Pass. It is incredibly
expensive for the league to offer this service, and for the
diehard fan, less than ($5) a month is an incredibly
reasonable price." Manasso writes that the leagues have a
"difference in philosophy: pass the cost of the service on
to the fan or provide a service for free and try to recoup
that money through advertisements." NFL Senior VP/New Media
Chris Russo: "On the Internet right now, there has not been
much success with the pay model, if you can offer great
content for free through advertising and e-commerce." The
NBA is "looking at ways to provide the service for free,"
and is talking to Internet companies about corporate
partnerships. NBA VP/Internet Services Brenda Spoonemore,
who said that League Pass subscriptions are in the
"thousands," noted possible changes to the service, "I think
you'll see us experiment with a few things this season and
implement something" next season (ATL. CONSTITUTION, 11/15).
