• Loading stock data...
Sunday, December 1, 2024

NBA Stars Can’t Block All-Star Game

  • The league is condensing what is usually a weekend of contests into a single night.
  • TNT took in an estimated $15 million by broadcasting 160 ads over last year’s contest.
Photo: Kim Klement-USA TODAY/Design: Alex Brooks

LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Kawhi Leonard will start in the NBA All-Star Game on March 7, but they might not be happy about it.

Antetokounmpo said that he would play, but has “zero energy” and “zero excitement” about doing so. James said he would be at the game “physically,” but not mentally. Leonard said the league was “just putting money over health right now.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has defended the event as a 70-year tradition.

“We don’t want people to gather for events around this All-Star,” said Silver. “There will be absolutely no social functions in Atlanta. No ticketed events. No parties. It is a made-for-television event at this point, and it’s largely in Atlanta because that’s where Turner Sports is located who will host this event.”

The league is condensing what is usually a weekend of contests into a single night, with the three-point contest taking place before the game, and the slam dunk contest happening at halftime. One thousand fans will attend the game, and players participating in it are asked by the league to self-quarantine with limited exceptions, starting on Feb. 27.

TNT took in an estimated $15 million by broadcasting 160 ads over last year’s contest, and including the slam dunk contest into this game could bring in around $24 million this year for parent company WarnerMedia, CEO Kevin Krim of advertising metrics firm EDO told CNBC. AT&T, Taco Bell, CarMax and Mountain Dew are among major sponsors for this year’s game.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has urged people not to come to the city for the event, and Silver echoed that sentiment. The NBA and NBA Players Association will donate $2.5 million to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as part of the event.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 1, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) drives past New York Liberty forwards Kayla Thornton (5) and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (44) during game two of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center.

Kelsey Plum Backs Out of Unrivaled

She’s skipping the new league’s season, along with Caitlin Clark.
Bluesky and Twitter

Why Bluesky Is Not a Serious Threat to Sports Twitter

Bluesky recently hit 23 million total users. That doesn’t touch X/Twitter.
May 1, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; From left: TNT analysts Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford, play-by-play announcer Kevin Harland and reporter Allie LaForce during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.

WBD Target of Investor Lawsuit Over Loss of NBA Rights

WBD sued the NBA in July after failing to retain broadcast rights.
Nov 26, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Keeshawn Barthelemy (9) approaches Texas A&M Aggies guard CJ Wilcher (10) during the first half at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory

Is This $9 Million Basketball Tournament the ‘Future of College Sports’?

NIL opportunities for players are scheduled throughout the six-day tournament.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Happy Thanksgiving From FOS Today

0:00

Featured Today

U.S. Investors Are Gunning for England’s Small Soccer Clubs

Is another Hollywood-like success story possible among the U.K.’s smallest clubs?
Nov 1, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) leads the team onto the field prior to the first quarter against the San Diego State Aztecs at Albertsons Stadium.
November 29, 2024

Schools Are Scrambling to Prepare for the NCAA Revenue-Sharing Era

In the post–House v. NCAA world, “everyone’s kind of on their own.”
Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Recording artist Taylor Swift arrives prior to a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
November 29, 2024

The PWHL Could Be Inviting a Date With Taylor Swift’s Legal Team

The Toronto Sceptres may have opened a Pandora’s box of trademark issues.
November 23, 2024

Can an Elite Women’s Soccer School Survive the New College Sports Moneyball?

Santa Clara faces an uphill battle in the new college sports landscape.

NBA Passes on Thanksgiving Games, Eyes Black Friday Spotlight

The NBA hasn’t played on Thanksgiving since 2010.
Oct 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Thursday Night Football broadcasters Clarissa Thompson, Tony Gonzalez, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Andrew Whitworth and Richard Sherman at SoFi Stadium.
November 25, 2024

Amazon Finds NFL Silver Linings Despite Missing Out on Thanksgiving

The streamer is drawing its best NFL ratings yet.
November 25, 2024

Lions Could Turn Tables by Eclipsing Cowboys Ratings on Thanksgiving

The Cowboys and Lions play again on Thanksgiving—in very different positions.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
November 23, 2024

Reader Mailbag: Why Are NBA Ratings Down to Start the Season?

NBA viewership is down 28% on ESPN through the first four weeks.
November 22, 2024

DirecTV-Dish Deal Is Dead, Spelling More Trouble for Pay TV

Bondholder objections undo an agreement to create the largest U.S. pay-TV distributor.
A photo of Around the Horn's set
November 21, 2024

‘Around the Horn’ to End 23-Year ESPN Run in 2025

ESPN had reportedly been thinking of canceling the show since the summer.
November 21, 2024

NBA Legend Hubie Brown Stepping Away From ESPN at 91

Brown has been associated with the league for over 50 years.