• Loading stock data...
Monday, July 14, 2025

Trump and Biden Are Why Bronny James Won’t Be Drafted in Prime Time

  • The odd 4 p.m. start time for the NBA draft is because of the debate, ESPN confirmed.
  • What happens with Bronny James in the second round is arguably the story of the year’s draft.
Syndication: USA TODAY

The biggest storyline of an otherwise sleepy NBA draft could play out at a time of day when TV audiences are more used to game-show reruns or sports-debate shows.

The second round of the draft, on its own day for the first time, is scheduled to start at ESPN’s studios around 4 p.m. Eastern time Thursday. With the Lakers picking No. 55 overall, Bronny James could be drafted—if he’s picked at all—around 5:40 p.m., the time when ESPN is usually airing Pardon the Interruption, the nationwide favorite of teenagers and the underemployed.

You can thank the current and former presidents for that. Spokespeople for ESPN and the NBA confirmed that the odd 4 p.m. start time was to avoid conflicting with Thursday night’s presidential debate. The league ultimately sets the start time for its own events, but nearly every network, including the Disney-owned ABC, will be airing the 9 p.m. debate live.

There are some sports events on the calendar Thursday evening. The United States men’s national team plays Panama in the Copa América at 6 p.m. Eastern, which Fox is scheduled to air live before switching over to debate coverage at 8:30. Uruguay-Bolivia in the same tournament has been pushed to Fox Sports 2. FS1 is airing an MLB game, and NBA TV has a Mystics-Sun WNBA game.

Other networks, including ABC, are starting debate coverage at 8. The second round of the draft, which the NBA recently tweaked to give teams more time to pick, will take about two hours. Only 28 teams have picks, as the Sixers and Suns had to forfeit selections after tampering investigations.

Where Bronny James lands is arguably the most intriguing part of this draft, which was stocked with unfamiliar names at the top. Six of the top 12 selections were players from foreign countries or the now defunct G League Ignite, and the general consensus among experts was that it was an all-time weak draft class. So Bronny James joining his famous father is a moment ESPN surely would have preferred to air in prime time, but the unusually timed debate won out.

Presidential debates have historically played out in the fall, but this year, both candidates bypassed the Commission on Presidential Debates and cut their own deal with broadcasters. Trump and Biden agreed to the June date—before either candidate has been formally nominated by their parties—last month, along with a September debate.

While it’s unclear exactly how interested audiences will be in an early-summer debate between the two very familiar candidates, the debates have historically been a ratings powerhouse. The lowest-rated debate of the two Trump general-election cycles came in 2020, when a Trump-Biden debate was still watched by 63 million people. By comparison, last year’s NBA draft set a record for ESPN at a mere five million. Some things are bigger than even LeBron James’s family drama.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

breaking

Nationals Take HS Star Willits No. 1 in MLB Draft, Eye Potential..

Washington shocks observers by selecting a 17-year-old high schooler.

Chelsea Wins $110M in FIFA’s Revamped $1B Club World Cup

Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday’s final match.

Bill Ackman to Give $10M to Tennis Hall of Fame After Tournament..

Ackman defended the decision and closed with a challenge to Andy Roddick.

Sinner Outduels Alcaraz for First Wimbledon Title and $4M Payday

The best two players in men’s tennis battled once again.

Featured Today

May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive
July 8, 2025

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland at her on court interview after winning her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 10, 2025

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Feb 7, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies center Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after his basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.
July 8, 2025

After Decade Apart, ESPN and Big East Rekindle Media Rights Relationship

After a decade-plus apart, the network will stream hundreds of conference events.
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) heads the ball in front of United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) in the second half during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium.
July 7, 2025

USMNT Struggles Still Produce Big Gold Cup Ratings for Fox

The U.S. team’s recent issues culminated in a loss to Mexico.
July 2, 2025

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
Leo Messi
June 27, 2025

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.