Menu
Download the app

SBJ subscribers – Enhance your experience with the revamped iOS app

Leagues and Governing Bodies

Michele Roberts Unsure About NBA's Potential December Start

NBPA Exec Dir Michele Roberts said she did not know "what I think yet" about the NBA's potential plan for a December start to the '20-21 season, according to Mark Medina of USA TODAY. Roberts said, "There are guys that haven’t played since the suspension of play in March and they may have a different attitude or not. Frankly, I’ve spoken to players that did stop playing at or about that time, and they’re banging down the doors to get back to the practice facility." She added, "I don’t know how much rest guys just left the bubble need before they restart. I also don’t know how much runway everybody needs in order to get into camp." Roberts said the NBA would "probably have to do something bubble-like." Roberts: "But at the very least, we have to consider the length of time we’d expect these men to be in that kind of environment. It’s a lot easier if we put you back on campus. But I don’t think anyone wants to do that. And if we do it, we don’t want to do it for any length of time." In any '20-21 season scenario, Roberts "would like the NBA to replicate the safety protocols from the Orlando campus." Roberts also wants to resolve issues including "clarity on the league’s salary cap and when free agency will start." Roberts said the league and NBPA are "probably closer toward resolving that issue" (USA TODAY, 10/28).

THE DATE IS THE THING: The Athletic’s Shams Charania said there is "skepticism" and a "lack of consensus among the players about starting that early" after the '20 season ended Oct. 11. Charania: “For the league and the players, there has always been a hope of wanting to get back on the normal NBA schedule, as well as potentially allowing players to be able to play in the Olympics next summer” (“NBA GameTime,” NBA TV, 10/28). ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said what the NBA is “offering up to LeBron and some of those other players who are worried about this is a two-week break at mid-season.” But Windhorst said the “players also recognize that could be a buffer zone in case there are games canceled or postponed for COVID-19” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 10/28). ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan said the “players get paid if they start at a certain date and they get more games in, so there are financial implications and that’s why the body as whole is going to say, ‘Let’s go forward with it.’” MacMullan: “It’s the players’ money” (“Around The Horn,” ESPN, 10/27). ESPN’s Max Kellerman said “there has to be compromise” on the start date, as the “network TV money is on the line” (“First Take,” ESPN, 10/27).  

FAN FACTOR IS HUGE: ESPN’s Rachel Nichols said NBA owners had been “indicating they wanted to wait to start until they were allowed to have a meaningful amount of ticket-buying fans in the stands.” But owners now "seem to have come to terms with the fact that ... they are just going to have to adjust their expectations for this year." Avoiding the '21 Finals running into the Olympics and NFL season is "smart," as is "preserving Christmas as the NBA’s day." ESPN’s Zach Lowe: “When money faces off against purity of the game, money wins” (“The Jump,” ESPN, 10/27). Charania said when games begin next season, presentation will be "a lot like what was in the bubble." Charania: “You won’t have the gate receipts. Adam Silver told the players in May that 40% of the NBA’s revenue comes from fans, so ... they’re going to need to find other ways to generate revenue." NBA TV’s Channing Frye said the "number one" thing the league should consider is "players’ health and safety" Frye: "If you do that, you’re going to get a better product, and the money is going to be there” (“NBA GameTime,” NBA TV, 10/28).-

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 25, 2024

NFL meeting preview; MLB's opening week ad effort and remembering Peter Angelos.

Big Get Jay Wright, March Madness is upon us and ESPN locks up CFP

On this week’s pod, our Big Get is CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jay Wright. The NCAA Championship-winning coach shares his insight with SBJ’s Austin Karp on key hoops issues and why being well dressed is an important part of his success. Also on the show, Poynter Institute senior writer Tom Jones shares who he has up and who is down in sports media. Later, SBJ’s Ben Portnoy talks the latest on ESPN’s CFP extension and who CBS, TNT Sports and ESPN need to make deep runs in the men’s and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2020/10/28/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NBA.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2020/10/28/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NBA.aspx

CLOSE