Saturday, May 2, 2026

As NBA Tries To Improve Its Product, Silver Admits All-Star Game Is Broken

  • The NBA All-Star Game saw record-low viewership in 2023.
  • The league is approaching negotiations for its next set of media rights deals.
LeBron James slams ball during the lowest rated NBA-All Star Game.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA has a clear goal this season: tying up all its loose ends before negotiations for its next set of media rights officially begin in Spring 2024.

Hoping to maximize value for broadcast partners to bring in what could be as much as $75 billion with new contracts, the league has already begun to crack down on load-management issues and just launched the inaugural in-season tournament.

Next on the agenda appears to be shoring up the NBA All-Star Game, which drew a record-low number of viewers earlier this year on TNT and TBS with an audience of 4.59 million. 

The league has already announced that the game will return to its classic East-West format with four 12-minute quarters. Recent years had seen team captains draft players and the games ending with a target score in the fourth quarter.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver is taking responsibility for the declining interest in the All-Star Game, citing too much fanfare around introductions and halftime performances, and not enough focus on the product. “We’re sending mixed signals,” he told ESPN. “And if we want guys to treat this like a real game … we have to treat it that way.”

At February’s All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, Saturday’s festivities will be held at the Colts’ Lucas Oil Stadium, while Sunday’s game will take place at the Pacers’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Bay Area will host the 2025 All-Star Weekend.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dundon Pours Money Into Pickleball As He Cuts Blazers Spending

NBA fans have nicknamed the Blazers owner “El Cheapo.”
exclusive

Mark Cuban Admits He Wanted to Buy Back Mavericks

“That’s just not the game anymore.”
Kalshi's logo is displayed on a smartphone placed on a reflective surface onto which a betting curve is projected in Creteil, France, on March 9, 2026, during a major scandal and a $54 million lawsuit concerning bets related to recent strikes in Iran. (Photo by Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto)NO USE FRANCE

CFTC: ‘Biggest Issue Is Manipulation’ in Sports Event Contracts

Michael Selig says his agency is in talks with “all the major sports leagues.”

Featured Today

Kaitlin Oaks (left) from Tampa looks at photos with Layla Abutha from Tampa while attending Thurby at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Kentucky Derby Is Courting Gen Z

Churchill Downs is mixing traditional splendor with a youthful atmosphere.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 25: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever sits on the baseline and makes photographs during the Indiana Pacers game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
April 22, 2026

Why Athletes Are Moonlighting As Sports Photographers

Athletes are swapping courtside seats for sideline cameras.
Quinnipiac women's varsity rugby
April 21, 2026

The Death of Quinnipiac Women’s Varsity Rugby

The sudden decision at Ilona Maher’s alma mater left players blindsided.
April 17, 2026

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.

Elizabeth Williams Explains Why WNBA Players Drew Line on Housing

Williams recently re-signed with the Sky for two years, $1.2 million.
AUSL Golden Ticket
May 1, 2026

‘Golden Tickets’ Could Juice AUSL College Draft

The ticket ensures players will be selected by a team in May.
May 1, 2026

USL Announces Tentative New CBA After Player Protests

Players protested by stopping play during matches this season.
Sponsored

Why Brandon Marshall Bet on Athlete-Owned Media

Brandon Marshall on athlete media, life after football, building I AM ATHLETE.
April 30, 2026

Max Verstappen’s Future Looms Over F1’s Return to Miami

F1 returns after a monthlong hiatus due to two canceled races.
April 30, 2026

F1’s New Era Hits Reset in Miami: How Will Teams Adjust to Rules?

Drivers have been unhappy about F1’s new regulations.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 6, 2026; Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA; Jon Rahm in action during the third round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club.
April 30, 2026

7 Questions About LIV After Saudis Pull Funding

LIV’s 2026 season is scheduled to run through August.
April 30, 2026

MLS Says Commissioner Was Hacked Amid Whitecaps Fight

The team has been for sale since late 2024.