Fan Opinion: NBA Lockout Perfect Opportunity for Long Term Change
A resolution to the NBA lockout will not happen anytime soon but this presents the perfect opportunity for the NBA to change their business model and their schedule. Basketball is a summer sport, so why not change the NBA schedule to take advantage of the slow sports months of June and July?
Moving the schedule permanently from a November start to January will give the NBA more splash power and it will allow them to accumulate more viewers before the baseball season begins. The schedule could be condensed and teams could play more back to back games within their division.
The NBA does not get interesting until the last two months of the season so why not trim the schedule permanently to 65-70 games and expand the playoffs? Fewer games makes each game more important and the teams who never try to make the playoffs will now benefit less from their lack of interest.
If this sounds like a crazy idea it is not. Many sports fans tire of baseball as the summer months begin. Who wants to sit in the heat at the ballpark when one could stretch out in an air-conditioned arena. The NBA could clean up in the attendance department and the television ratings would sail through the roof.
The first games could tip-off during Super Bowl week and the NBA Finals could take place in late July to early August. It sounds like a perfect solution for a sport that could spiral downward in fan popularity rapidly.
The '98-'99 NBA season, shortened to 50 games, began on February 5 and ended with the NBA Finals last game being won by the San Antonio Spurs on June 25, 1999. The NBA can get more bang for their buck by running the regular season until June and then beginning the playoffs in late June.
Tradition is not a solid argument by any NBA fans or owners in this instance. Tradition went out the window when the NBA lockout extended into the regular season. Now is the time for the NBA to re-establish as a premier sports league or they will fall to the popularity level of the NHL or MSL.
*Todd Jacobs is a former resident of Southern California and long time Los Angeles Lakers fan.
sources:
Forbes via Yahoo! Finance: NBA Lockout: Impact of David Stern's 'Reset' Proposal for NBA Players
Moving the schedule permanently from a November start to January will give the NBA more splash power and it will allow them to accumulate more viewers before the baseball season begins. The schedule could be condensed and teams could play more back to back games within their division.
The NBA does not get interesting until the last two months of the season so why not trim the schedule permanently to 65-70 games and expand the playoffs? Fewer games makes each game more important and the teams who never try to make the playoffs will now benefit less from their lack of interest.
If this sounds like a crazy idea it is not. Many sports fans tire of baseball as the summer months begin. Who wants to sit in the heat at the ballpark when one could stretch out in an air-conditioned arena. The NBA could clean up in the attendance department and the television ratings would sail through the roof.
The first games could tip-off during Super Bowl week and the NBA Finals could take place in late July to early August. It sounds like a perfect solution for a sport that could spiral downward in fan popularity rapidly.
The '98-'99 NBA season, shortened to 50 games, began on February 5 and ended with the NBA Finals last game being won by the San Antonio Spurs on June 25, 1999. The NBA can get more bang for their buck by running the regular season until June and then beginning the playoffs in late June.
Tradition is not a solid argument by any NBA fans or owners in this instance. Tradition went out the window when the NBA lockout extended into the regular season. Now is the time for the NBA to re-establish as a premier sports league or they will fall to the popularity level of the NHL or MSL.
*Todd Jacobs is a former resident of Southern California and long time Los Angeles Lakers fan.
sources:
Forbes via Yahoo! Finance: NBA Lockout: Impact of David Stern's 'Reset' Proposal for NBA Players
Published by Todd Jacobs
Todd Jacobs is from Anaheim, California and resides in the city of Las Vegas. Todd worked for Orange Coast Magazine as News Editor in the 80s and recently began writing for several online sites including:... View profile
- Los Angeles Lakers Loge Seats at the STAPLES CenterLos Angeles Lakers Loge seats at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California are a great place to watch a NBA game. Consult a Los Angeles Lakers seating chart for the STAPLES Center before buying Lakers tickets.
- Los Angeles Lakers Premier Seats at the STAPLES CenterLos Angeles Lakers premier seats at the STAPLES Center is a great section to watch a NBA basketball game. These Lakers premier seats are directly between the suites and the loge seats on the second level of the STAPLE...
- Los Angeles Lakers Courtside Seats at the STAPLES CenterLos Angeles Lakers courtside seats at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California are great seats to view a NBA basketball game. Lakers courtside seats are the closest a Lakers fan can get to basketball action.
- Los Angeles Lakers Preview - Season 2007-08The Los Angeles Lakers had a disappointing ending to a mediocre season last year. Kobe and his crew are determined to win the championship, but do they have what it takes?
- Los Angeles Lakers 2009 NBA Champions15 time NBA champions Los Angeles Lakers have solidified their mark in sports history. Kobe Bryant and co brought luxury and precision back to the game of basketball.
- Los Angeles Lakers Upper Seats at the STAPLES Center
- Los Angeles Lakers Suites at the STAPLES Center
- Los Angeles Lakers Middle Seats at the STAPLES Center
- Preseason 2010-2011 NBA Match-Up Preview: Miami Heat Vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- 2010 NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers V. Boston Celtics Game 5 Prediction and Preview
- Frist Round Playoff Preview: Denver Nuggets Vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- Kobe Bryant Signs Contract Extension with Los Angeles Lakers