NBA League Pass Combining Linear, Broadband, Mobile Offerings This Season

The NBA this season is "combining its NBA League Pass linear, broadband and mobile offerings" for one price of $169, according to R. Thomas Umstead of MULTICHANNEL NEWS. NBA Digital GM and Turner Sports VP/Strategy, Marketing & Programming Christina Miller said that the League Pass will "include mobile access to live games ... along with broadband access of the games" for the first time. The mobile package last season "was an additional $39 on top of the $189 NBA League Pass package." Miller added that NBA Digital will “run a free, two-week preview of NBA League Pass beginning the day after Christmas and ending Jan. 8.” Miller said that she is “confident that NBA fans will purchase the NBA League Pass at the same levels as last year, although she would not reveal specific numbers.” Miller: “Fans are excited to have the NBA back -- the interest is still there and the NBA has a strong brand" (MULTICHANNEL.com, 12/13). Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic’s Ivan Carter said it is "ridiculous" for the NBA to charge $169 for the season when there are only 66 games being played. Carter: "The NBA looks horribly arrogant in this whole thing. 'We’re going to lock you out, meaning the fans, now we’re going to charge you the same for our product, the same crappy tickets for a crappy product because now you’re going to have a smashed-in season.' … Wouldn’t you throw a bone to us and lower the price of the package?” Carter added, "I’m still a basketball fan, I’m still going to watch this season, I love NBA hoops. But it’s time for you to go, David Stern. We need a fresh face leading the NBA” (“Washington Post Live,” Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, 12/13).

ONE-STOP SHOP: Fox Sports Indiana yesterday announced that it will televise every Pacers game this season, marking the first time in franchise history the net will air all the games in a season. Chris Denari will handle play-by-play duties for his sixth straight season and will be joined by analysts Quinn Buckner and Austin Croshere. Brooke Olzendam will be in her first season as pre- and postgame host and sideline reporter. All the games will air in HD (Fox Sports).