The NBA would need the cooperation of numerous stakeholders for schedule changes to take placeNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
The NBA is formally exploring "how it might use its 75th anniversary season as an opportunity to test some of its bolder initiatives -- not only a mid-season cup and postseason play-in tournament, but also a reduction in the 82-game regular season schedule," according to Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN.com. A committee that consists of approximately a dozen top team execs from both basketball and business operations earlier this month "discussed with the league office ideas for alternatives to the traditional NBA schedule" for the '21-22 season in what sources characterized as a "wide-ranging brainstorming session." Sources called the conversation "very exploratory" and said that the proposed reforms would be "adopted initially as a pilot program." The NBA would have the chance to "observe the trial run and evaluate the long-term viability of such a schedule design." These more substantive conversations about contemplating new ways to construct the NBA's seasonal schedule "demonstrate momentum for reformers inside the league." Advocates for change believe that "robust revenue generated from new products such as the play-in tournament and mid-season cup posed recently by Commissioner Adam Silver could, over time, recoup losses that would result from a reduction in traditional regular-season games." The NBA would need the cooperation of "numerous stakeholders, from the players union to ownership groups to national and local broadcast partners, sponsors, among others" (ESPN.com, 6/26).
THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE: ESPN’s Bobby Marks said reducing the schedule is “realistic if there’s cooperation” between the league and the owners, broadcasting partners and the NBPA. Marks: “When you look at taking 82 games possibly shrinking down to 58, that’s a loss of 24 games for TV, that’s a loss of ticket sales coming in” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 6/26). ESPN’s Mike Golic said, "There will be one spokesman for all the owners and they’ll say, ‘Is any less money going in our pockets?’ That’s it. Everything else is like the teacher for Charlie Brown. They don't hear it" (“Golic & Wingo,” ESPN Radio, 6/27). ESPN's Tony Kornheiser: "Who’s going to take less money?” (“PTI,” ESPN, 6/26). But the Dallas Morning News' Tim Cowlishaw said, "If you have a better product and you suddenly have better ratings and you’re suddenly selling for higher average, you’re not going to lose as much money” ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 6/26).
NO THANKS: ESPN's Sarah Spain said she has “zero interest” in a potential mid-season tournament because “you can’t magically devise some sort of meaning to something that’s never existed” ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 6/26).
