Latest news with #AdamSilver
Forbes
10 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Lakers Sale Makes NBA Expansion Even Hotter Topic Post-Finals
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 31: Jeanie Buss attends a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers ... More and the Detroit Pistons at Staples Center on October 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by) With the NBA due to crown its seventh different champion in seven years when the 2025 Finals conclude, expansion was already going to be at the top of the agenda, according to recent remarks from Commissioner Adam Silver. Salary cap machinations under Silver have pushed more parity for the NBA – something the league's still working on taking full advantage of from a media standpoint – so it only makes sense that opportunity is a selling point for prospective new owners in ways it may not have been previously. The newly announced sale of the Los Angeles Lakers, for a record $10 billion, would also do a lot to warm the NBA's existing owners to the idea. Not even 12 months ago, the going rate for an NBA team sale seemed to sit around $4 billion or so. Then the Boston Celtics sold for a then-record $6.1 billion, and now this Lakers deal ups the ante even further. It's not to say that the value of every NBA team is now $10 billion. But the Lakers selling for that price puts the potential out there, and increases the inherent value of the other 29 teams. The number also increases the expected expansion fee – which gets pocketed by the league and current owners – from something in the $5-6 billion range, to potentially much more. Expansion was already an enticing prospect for the NBA. Now? It's a no-brainer. For the NBA to add teams, owners need to recommend a formal expansion exploration, and they will almost certainly do so when they meet at the board of governors meeting in July. The league then meets with prospective ownership groups and cities, gets a better understanding of who has the finances and infrastructure (existing or planned) to make it happen, then starts making decisions. It's no secret to Silver that various markets and groups would like expansion teams. So while there will be a desire to hear all potential bids, the expansion fee likely narrows the list immediately and it's not like the league is unaware of the current frontrunners (by all accounts, Seattle and Las Vegas). Silver has said he wants to address 'underserved' markets with expansion. What might those be? That depends… SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 10: A Seattle Sonics fan holds a sign before the Rain City Showcase in ... More a preseason NBA game between the LA Clippers and the Utah Jazz at Climate Pledge Arena on October 10, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by) As U.S. pro sports have become absolutely ubiquitous across culture due to streaming, 24/7 coverage and the marketing dollars invested in these leagues, you could argue it's hard to find many 'underserved' markets or fans that don't already have allegiances in place. Even the NFL, for all its overwhelming financial success, hasn't added a truly 'new' market since 1995 (Charlotte, Jacksonville). The last three teams were all retread markets filling a void left by teams that relocated. For at least one of the teams the NBA will likely add, it seems like an obvious script to follow. Seattle SuperSonics fans have felt abandoned by the league for 17 years now, and no time more than these past couple weeks as the Oklahoma City Thunder (the one-time Sonics) knock on the door of their first championship in OKC. The Seattle area has the means and desire to support a team, and already proved they could. Plus, the arena's already built, assuming the team would play at ClimatePledge Arena, current home of the Kraken (NHL) and Storm (WNBA). After that, though? It gets trickier. There are retread U.S. markets like St. Louis (Hawks), Kansas City (Kings) and San Diego (Clippers), and you could argue all are currently 'under-served' by the NBA to an extent. Given the NBA's global focus, international expansion to somewhere like Vancouver (former home of the Grizzlies) or Mexico City also has upside. Current U.S. policies might present the most hurdles for both. But both markets could be seen as 'under-served' as well. Las Vegas is the leader for spot No. 2, but it's also not 'under-served' as an NBA market as it is, which is where Silver's comments could shed light on an atypical city selection. Just to play devil's advocate on Vegas: The NBA already has a large footprint in the city between annual Summer League showcases and the NBA Cup played there. It's effectively the league's West Coast headquarters without a team, and league functions there feel like an event because they're not in any team's home market. The once-plucky story of Vegas as a pro sports city is also gone at this point. It's a Golden Knights town that also happens to have the Raiders and soon, the Athletics. The NBA adding team No. 4 to the mix has questionable appeal on its face. All of this doesn't mean Vegas fails to get an expansion team. It's simply a reason why it may not be as much of a lock as many assume. No matter which cities the NBA eventually expands to, however, they'll be entering a new dynamic that must demand more of the league's media partners to prop up less-established franchises. The roster-building rules focused on parity are just part of it. To really reap the rewards of that open playing field, and expansion as well, league media has to find ways to market all 30 (32) teams, and not just the same handful of squads. Whether they're the Lakers or one of those expansion teams, they're all businesses worth well over $5 billion each now. If coverage reflects that, it'll lead to even more growth beyond that in the long-term. And any expansion group should be making those sorts of demands upon admittance.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Adam Silver: NBA ‘should be exploring' expansion
Commissioner Adam Silver offered hope to cities looking to land an NBA franchise, saying Thursday that the league "should be exploring" expansion. Silver addressed the media in his annual state-of-the-league talk ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the host Oklahoma City Thunder. Regarding the addition of teams, Silver said, "I don't think it's automatic, because it depends on your perspective on the future of the league. As I've said before, expansion in a way is selling equity in the league. If you believe in the league, you don't necessarily want to add partners. "On the other hand, we recognize there are underserved markets in the United States and elsewhere -- I think markets that deserve to have NBA teams. Probably even if we were to expand, more than we can serve." In terms of potential expansion locations, Silver said, "There's been no lack of interest. I essentially have said to people from several different cities, 'We're just not engaging in that process right now.' "I want to be fair to everyone. So I don't want to have meetings with some and not others. So if we were to say yes, we're now going to move into a more formal exploratory phase. We would take those meetings, and in addition likely we would engage with outside advisers who would look at markets, look at economic opportunities and media opportunities, etc." The NBA hasn't expanded since the then-Charlotte Bobcats joined ahead of the 2004-05 season. Las Vegas and Seattle are widely viewed as the top targets for future teams, with Mexico City potentially in the mix, too. Silver addressed several other topics: --While a spate of regular-season injuries prompted speculation about the NBA cutting down the 82-game regular season, Silver dismissed the notion of a lighter schedule. "Money's part of it, there's no question about it," Silver said. "We're a business. Having said that, I don't really see the benefit to reducing the number of games. People used to say you should reduce the number of games because it will lead to a reduction in a number of injuries. We have absolutely no data to suggest that. ... "Injuries are considered down this playoffs from what has been historically our second-lowest in 10 years. So we have pretty healthy teams coming into the Finals now." --After the success of the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA is likely to switch to nationality-based format for the 2026 All-Star Game in Inglewood, Calif. "I don't think a straight-up USA versus World makes sense," Silver said. "That's not what they did in the NHL, either. There probably will be some different teams we form." Noting that the 2026 game will be played amid the Winter Olympics in Italy, Silver said, "I think we can play off that nationalism. ... I think there's a real opportunity to create enhanced interest and enhanced competition from the players." --Silver lauded the fact that the NBA is about to crown its seventh different champion in seven years. "We set out to create a system that allowed for more competition around the league, the goal being to have 30 teams all in a position, if well-managed, to be competing for championships," he said. "And that's what we're seeing here. ... "The goal isn't necessarily to have a different champion every year. It's to have, as we said before, parity of opportunity." --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"Honestly Didn't Think He Was Gonna Do It": Adam Silver Gets Frank On Michael Jordan's Deal With NBC
"Honestly Didn't Think He Was Gonna Do It": Adam Silver Gets Frank On Michael Jordan's Deal With NBC originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Michael Jordan stunned the NBA world yet again with the news of his return from retirement. But this time, his return is as part of the NBA media. Which, if you know about Jordan's personality, is also shocking, considering he doesn't like engaging with the media himself. Advertisement NBA commissioner Adam Silver recently appeared on Dan Patrick's show, where they spoke about several subjects around the NBA. When addressing Michael Jordan's deal with NBC, he admitted he did not believe it was going to happen when he first heard about it. He claims he had no role in convincing Jordan to return or any influence on this deal of any kind. 'I mean, they told me they were going to try, and I said 'good luck'. I honestly didn't think he was going to do it. You know it took us decades to convince him to do the documentary 'The Last Dance' which came out during the pandemic and ended up, still I think, is one of the you know widely viewed on Netflix. But he didn't want to do that for a long time, we had the footage." Silver then went on to attribute the credit for this deal to Jordan's relationship with NBC employees. They were the primary broadcasters of the NBA during Jordan's playing days, and hence, several staff members had a personal relationship with Jordan. 'I know there were other inquiries over the years, and I think he, for whatever reason he was ready to do it now. I think he has, of course, incredibly fond memories of NBC. I don't think that's lost on anyone. Some of the very same people are there, people like John Miller whom he had a relationship from back all those years ago, Mark Lazarus was still there, just switched over to the other side of the operation. But I think like he had those relationships, and again I didn't discourage them, but I was surprised he said yes.' Why Is Michael Jordan Returning? Considering his intention will look to directly impact the viewership ratings of the league, one would assume this move was initiated by the commissioner's office. However, Silver has clarified he had no role in making this deal happen. Rather, it was Jordan himself who initiated this idea. Advertisement According to sources, Jordan believes that players like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and James Harden are not getting the credit they deserve from the modern generation of NBA fans. Moreover, he feels his fans have been critical of the modern-era players and believes if he himself were to tell them why they shouldn't do that, maybe they will listen and respect the game more. Some rumors and reports claimed that Jordan would be receiving a $40 million paycheck for his services to NBC. But sources have also claimed that this report is inaccurate. While he may be earning more or less than the rumored sum, it is clear that he intends to promote the game and not fill his pockets. But as the greatest player of all time, he's in a position to command any fee he deems worthy of doing this with NBC. Will Jordan's return help boost NBA ratings? Or is this a last-ditch effort that will go in vain? It will be interesting to see how this deal impacts the NBA next season. Related: Nick Wright Disrespects Michael Jordan For His Gambling Issues Amid MJ's Partnership With NBC This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Pacers To Trade First-Round Pick To New Orleans Pelicans For 2026 Pick
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 29: NBA commissioner Adam Silver announces a pick for the Indiana Pacers ... More during the 2021 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on July 29, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by) INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers plan to trade their 2025 first-round draft pick to the New Orleans Pelicans for a 2026 first-round pick. The selection the Pacers are sending to New Orleans is 23rd overall in next week's draft. The draft rights to Mojave King, a player Indiana chose 47th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, is also heading to the Pelicans. In exchange, Indiana is receiving its own pick back in the 2026 draft, which they previously sent away in a trade to acquire Pascal Siakam. The Pacers 2026 first rounder that they are receiving was dealt from Toronto to New Orleans in February as a part of a deal involving Brandon Ingram. It was originally protected for selections 1-4 in 2026, and had the Pacers kept the pick, it would have become a 2027 first-round pick. That was also protected 1-4, and had Indiana not conveyed a pick in either 2026 or 2027, then New Orleans would have received two second round picks. Now, the Pelicans guarantee themselves a first-round pick in 2025 while the Pacers get back in control of their own draft capital. That's the main appeal of this trade for the Pacers. The Stepien Rule makes it so that teams aren't able to have two consecutive future drafts without a first-round selection. Because Indiana didn't have a first-round pick in 2026, they weren't able to trade their 2027 first rounder. And the protections on the 2027 portion of their outgoing picks meant they would have needed to wait a year to send that pick away in deals. Now, they have no restrictions. That means by draft night, the Pacers will be able to trade first-round picks in 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2032 all in one deal, for example. They could also opt to package their own picks in 2027, 2029, and 2031. Previously, the 2026 and 2027 portions of those trades would have been unavailable. Kevin Pritchard speaks during a news conference Monday, May 1, 2017, in Indianapolis. Larry Bird ... More resigned from his position as Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations. Pritchard is assuming Bird's position. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Additionally, the Pacers need for a prospect via a first-round pick in the near term is fairly low. They already have a deep roster, and young talent like Bennedict Mathurin, Jarace Walker, and Johnny Furphy are all reserves. Mathurin plays every night, but Walker and Furphy are still waiting for consistent opportunities. Add in 2023 first-round choice Ben Sheppard, and it's clear the Pacers don't have room to add another younger player who wouldn't be in the mix for immediate minutes. The 23rd pick would likely have carried a cap hit of roughly $3.2 million in 2025-26. For the Pacers, who will be thinking about their spending carefully with a luxury tax bill potentially coming their way, moving off of that salary has some value. The team still has to fill out their roster, so the savings may be negligible. But every dollar counts. Between Stepien restrictions, playing time concerns, and salary considerations, it already made sense for the Pacers to move off of their 2025 first-round pick in order to get one in either 2026 or 2027. By getting their own pick back, they gain a ton of flexibility and put their future roster and draft pick outlook in a more favorable position. It's smart business for a team currently in the NBA Finals. They have to think about winning now more than winning in the future via draft selections. Losing King is a small price to pay to make that happen. He played for the Pacers G League affiliate, the then Indiana Mad Ants, in 2023-24 before playing for the New Zealand Breakers this past season. The Pelicans will now figure out his long-term outlook. The Pacers now only own the 54th selection in the upcoming NBA Draft. That could be used on a player that would carry a low cap hit in year one via the second-round pick exception or on a player that would get a two-way contract. They could opt for another draft-and-stash, too, but cheap contributors will be meaningful for the Pacers next year. The true value of this trade won't be known for Indiana until time passes, but creating financial flexibility in the short term while adding short and long term optionality with transactions is forward-thinking business. Now, the Pacers will focus on the NBA Finals until they are eliminated. The 2025 NBA Draft begins next Wednesday.
Indianapolis Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
ABC will show NBA Finals starting lineups player intros in Game 5: 'HOW DID IT TAKE THEM THIS LONG'
NBA fans have begged ESPN/ABC to make the NBA Finals feel a little more like an NBA Finals and asked at the very least they show starting lineup introductions to add some pizzazz to Finals production. Apparently, the TV executives have listened. Per ESPN's Shams Charania, the network will broadcast the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers starting lineup introductions for tonight's Game 5. According to Charania, it's the first time starting introductions will be shown at the Finals since 2013. Earlier this series, fans lamented there was no NBA Finals logo on the court in Game 1, and then roasted the league for adding virtual logos in Game 2. NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Finals logos on the court disappeared a year ago because some players complained the temporary decals were slippery. The digital versions weren't much better. But hey, at least the league and its TV partners are listening. As folks on social media pointed out, sometimes bullying works. HOW DID IT TAKE THEM THIS LONG LMAOOO Awesome decision. Kids watching will especially like this. I remember watching ncaa final 4s and the starting lineups were some of the best parts of the viewing experience. Adam Silver reads NBA Twitter confirmed Game 5, Mon., June 16: Pacers at Thunder, 8:30 p.m.
