Execs at ESPN, Turner Sports and NBA TV are "thrilled with Kevin Durant's decision to join" the Warriors, as the team last season was "far and away the league's most popular television draw," according to Richard Deitsch of SI.com. The Warriors were involved in seven of the 10 most-watched games of the regular season, and were "one of the most aesthetically pleasing teams in history to watch." Adding one of the "best five players in the game means even more interest." Last year the Warriors made 30 appearances across ABC, ESPN and TNT (NBA TV also aired 12 games), "exceeding the contractual 25-game cap for those networks." Games that went above the 25-game cap were "not made available in the home market of the participating team" to protect the Warriors' RSN, CSN Bay Area. The NBA for the '16-17 season should "air at least half of the Warriors games nationally if not more." Deitsch also argues that the league "should want every Warriors game to air to the widest possible audience given the incredible marketing the team provides for the NBA product." ESPN VP/League Sports Programming Julie Sobieski said that ESPN/ABC could "select up to 13 Warriors games this season and will request that number again." Sobieski said that one place Durant's signing will "have impact is ESPN lobbying the league to get a Warriors game against the Thunder." Sobieski added that ESPN has "not had an official conversation with the league since Durant's signing but she has texted and sent emails to the league officials." Turner Sports Senior VP/Programming Scooter Vertino said that he anticipated the Warriors would be "among the most featured teams again on his network" (SI.com, 7/6).
BULLISH MOOD: In the wake of Dwyane Wade signing a two-year deal with the Bulls, ESPN.com's Nick Friedell notes the Bulls "suddenly have a ton of national TV interest again." Games against teams like the Knicks, Heat, Cavaliers and T'Wolves "will have big appeal" (TWITTER.com, 7/7).
