The NBA buisiness model. Is it working?

[Siranthony]

The cost of going to games has become so expensive. The players make so much money. You would think for what they make, the players would always give 100% for the team and the fans. But they don't always do that. Why?

1. A player is unhappy where he is at for any reason. A player can not ask for a trade so he sandbags or creates drama. (BTW he still gets paid no matter what.)

2. A team needs to build through the draft and has an incentive to lose games, in order to get a better draft pick.

3. Small market teams are at a huge disadvantage for so many reasons. The Kings have built a pretty good team that should be winning. The players put up good numbers but the fans languish as the team underperforms in wins and losses.

Is this sustainable? I am considering giving basketball up as a fan.

 

[Joshyjosh31]

The on court product is terrible as well and that’s before we talk about how 90% of games are blowouts

 

[PurpleHaze]

80% of basketball games I watch are mens NCAA games, each passing year NBA less and less. The reason is simple. Who wants to watch millionaires whining constantly to the refs and anyone else who will listen to the endless BS. NCAA games more entertaining, more pageantry, far less 3pt jacking, little gripping (only head coach allowed to talk to ref), action not constantly interrupted with stoppages and on and on.

 

[Srzly]

The NBA just needs to stop playing obvious favorites and let the players decide who is a star and who isn’t. No special whistle. No more reffing based on reputation. No more catering to the players that “sell” every call and throw their head back or yell “heyyyyy” every drive.

Just call the games evenly at both ends. I think that would make the product much more enjoyable. I know I would watch way more games of other teams if that were the case.

I also think they should get rid of East and West and just do a table format where the top teams make the playoffs regardless of conference.

And maybe test out moving the 3pt line back a little? Not sure how I feel about that.

 

[iowamcnabb]

The cost of going to games has become so expensive. The players make so much money. You would think for what they make, the players would always give 100% for the team and the fans. But they don't always do that. Why?

1. A player is unhappy where he is at for any reason. A player can not ask for a trade so he sandbags or creates drama. (BTW he still gets paid no matter what.)

2. A team needs to build through the draft and has an incentive to lose games, in order to get a better draft pick.

3. Small market teams are at a huge disadvantage for so many reasons. The Kings have built a pretty good team that should be winning. The players put up good numbers but the fans languish as the team underperforms in wins and losses.

Is this sustainable? I am considering giving basketball up as a fan.

Might have to consider giving up all sports because those points hold true for the other leagues as well.

 

[iowamcnabb]

80% of basketball games I watch are mens NCAA games, each passing year NBA less and less. The reason is simple. Who wants to watch millionaires whining constantly to the refs and anyone else who will listen to the endless BS. NCAA games more entertaining, more pageantry, far less 3pt jacking, little gripping (only head coach allowed to talk to ref), action not constantly interrupted with stoppages and on and on.

College is fine but the difference in talent is like comparing a 5th grader to a high school kid. The reason to watch the NBA is the talent is insane. Freak athletes with insane skill sets. The drama is part of the game, surely not for everybody but there is a reason people watch WWE and soaps.

 

[Siranthony]

College is fine but the difference in talent is like comparing a 5th grader to a high school kid. The reason to watch the NBA is the talent is insane. Freak athletes with insane skill sets. The drama is part of the game, surely not for everybody but there is a reason people watch WWE and soaps.

I'm watching Creighton at Villanova now. These guys are fighting for it. The main difference is shooting percentage.

 

[chief bromden]

The cost of going to games has become so expensive. The players make so much money. You would think for what they make, the players would always give 100% for the team and the fans. But they don't always do that. Why?

1. A player is unhappy where he is at for any reason. A player can not ask for a trade so he sandbags or creates drama. (BTW he still gets paid no matter what.)

2. A team needs to build through the draft and has an incentive to lose games, in order to get a better draft pick.

3. Small market teams are at a huge disadvantage for so many reasons. The Kings have built a pretty good team that should be winning. The players put up good numbers but the fans languish as the team underperforms in wins and losses.

Is this sustainable? I am considering giving basketball up as a fan.

How is this different than 30 years ago?

Is the question "Is the NBA a pure sport?" Or is it "is the NBA sustainable as a business model?"?

I think the NBA is closer to pure sport during the playoffs, but as a whole, it's theatre with a basketball theme, imo. It seems as if the business model is sustainable, but forecasting economics is always a guess. I bet they will be fine in the near to mid future, especially as they eye an increasing international presence.

As far as ticket prices, they've increased alongside other forms of theatre (headliner big venue live music, Broadway, etc). It makes my mind spin but people pay the money so why would they charge less?

 

[pdxKingsFan]

College is fine but the difference in talent is like comparing a 5th grader to a high school kid. The reason to watch the NBA is the talent is insane. Freak athletes with insane skill sets. The drama is part of the game, surely not for everybody but there is a reason people watch WWE and soaps.

I was lucky enough to go to many games courtside as a kid and occasionally get to in Portland. NBA players are larger than life.

But NCAA games are more compelling. I am probably going to snowbird in Tucson for a year after the kid goes to school just to try something different assuming my job goes the way I am steering it and hope to go to more than a few Wildcats football and basketball games. I guess they are a pretty premium ticket in their own right though.

 

[iowamcnabb]

I was lucky enough to go to many games courtside as a kid and occasionally get to in Portland. NBA players are larger than life.

But NCAA games are more compelling. I am probably going to snowbird in Tucson for a year after the kid goes to school just to try something different assuming my job goes the way I am steering it and hope to go to more than a few Wildcats football and basketball games. I guess they are a pretty premium ticket in their own right though.

For me I’d rather watch the NBA. The college game with the 30 second shot clock and no spacing is a bit too slow and clogged for my taste. I do appreciate the effort given night in and night out but it’s bit easier to do that in 40 minute games and 30 ish game seasons. Single elimination tourney is hard to beat though

 

[pdxKingsFan]

For me I’d rather watch the NBA. The college game with the 30 second shot clock and no spacing is a bit too slow and clogged for my taste. I do appreciate the effort given night in and night out but it’s bit easier to do that in 40 minute games and 30 ish game seasons. Single elimination tourney is hard to beat though

I’ve been an Arizona fan for as long as I’ve been a Kings fan, so you might understand my bias to the Cats

 

[iowamcnabb]

I’ve been an Arizona fan for as long as I’ve been a Kings fan, so you might understand my bias to the Cats

I went to my first Cyclone game the other day and had a great time even though I’m a Hawkeye fan. We got lower bowl tickets for 30 bucks. Tuesday night, 5 degrees outside against an unranked opponent and it was sold out.

 

[PurpleHaze]

Of all my many games in attendance at Kings games over the years dating back to original "old barn" plus Arco 2, nothing could ever beat a game at Univ of Arizona McKale Center - Tucson (14,500 capacity, always sold out), where sister lived many years plus I had business in the area back in the day. Going to see several HOF Coach Lute Olsen led teams. 1997 National Championship year particularly memorable seeing a game in route to winning March Madness tourney. Saw a few UofA football games at Arizona stadium as well but McKale for me ultimate Wildcats party." The only other memorable venues for NCAA games recall back then. Hmmm... Can't forget UCSB (Cal Santa Barbara Gauchos) my daughter's alma mater (Engineering School grad 2016) and all those t-shirts on campus "UCSB FOOTBALL UNDEFEATED SINCE 1992" (since dropped football in 1991).

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

80% of basketball games I watch are mens NCAA games, each passing year NBA less and less. The reason is simple. Who wants to watch millionaires whining constantly to the refs and anyone else who will listen to the endless BS. NCAA games more entertaining, more pageantry, far less 3pt jacking, little gripping (only head coach allowed to talk to ref), action not constantly interrupted with stoppages and on and on.

Well... two out of five would be a Hall of Fame batting average, so I guess there's that.

 

[midtowner]

I think sports betting has had a major impact on pro sports. I think the Leagues are now catering to all the money and interest coming from the online fantasy sports betting industry.

That and agents sending players to the market of their choice.

I don’t think I’d have a problem for it if it weren’t for the public dollars used for sports stadiums. The League’s should finance themselves.

That being said - it’s still fun to watch games with my kids. And if I had to rationalize time spent watching sports over more productive interests - well, I prefer not to go there.

 

[kingsboi]

I think it very much is working well. Arenas are usually packed unless you are the Hornets, Wizards. Playing regular season and preseason games overseas. Come Playoff time, I'd imagine the TV viewership goes up since it is a long season. Big name players are moving more frequently than ever before that I can remember. I just wish they would allow more defense to be played and making the corner three the same distance as the rest of the line but there is something for every type of fan.