NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spoke for over 30 minutes on New York’s flagship sports station, WFAN, with host Mike Francesa on Monday. It was a very candid discussion of many issues affecting the NBA, and where he sees the sport going this season, and in the future.
Silver, is one of the most progressive commissioners in the four major sports, and his candid demeanor is a breath of fresh air for a league that is at it’s peak of fan interest in recent history. Francesa started the interview by saying that most fans are looking forward to the five games that will be broadcast on Christmas Day, when the NBA really takes center stage, and that this is really the ‘official’ start of the season for many fans of the sport.
Christmas Day Games/Fan Base: Silver agreed with that assessment about a larger national audience, but stated that “because of the start that Golden State had, along with some of the newer rookies in the league, more folks have been watching than in the past.” Further, he believes that it’s not just the larger market teams making a mark for the NBA, but some of the smaller cities, like Oklahoma City, Minnesota, and the aforementioned Warriors, just to name a few.
NBA Brand: The Commissioner stated that “there are more recognizable athletes in the NBA, and that many of those players are aware that kids are following them, especially when it comes to marketing their sneaker brands.” He continued by saying “that the sneakers are released worldwide, and that the NBA has been opening new stores, and even they get a certain allotment of the players sneakers at one time.”
Stephen Curry: Regarding Stephen Curry, which Francesa seems to think is the face of the current NBA, Silver said that “Stephen is not the biggest player physically, but he is a good person, raised properly by his parents, who did a tremendous job getting him grounded.” “He seems to be humble, a joy on the court, a team guy, and is part of a whole new generation of players, even those he is smaller, fans love to come watch him warm up before the game.” “The game,” as he sees it, “is being redefined by bigger players being able to shoot 3’s and foul shots, like Kristaps Porzingis of the Knicks.”
Daily Fantasy/Sports Betting: The conversation shifted from the NBA, to the current issue of daily fantasy sports, and whether Silver felt it was a game of skill or chance. He stated, “thinking of daily fantasy of sports as either is oversimplification of the issue, but the ultimate thing is whether folks really want to play the games.” “Further, at some point it should be regulated, licensed, and transparent, which would allow states to collect tax revenues, which is something that governments are looking to do moving forward.”
Silver thinks that sports betting is inevitable, and the NBA continues to be realists about that happening, most likely within a five year period. He mentioned that he has discussed this with the other commissioners, and that it would help to police the folks that bet money on the games. Francesa asked him about whether the NBA players get involved in daily fantasy, and he said that all NBA players are banned from playing daily fantasy, or even making legal bets in Las Vegas, because we don’t want “folks to think there is any kind of insider trading going on, since other players recognize who is hot, who is hurt, etc.” He says the NBA Player’s Association is in agreement with this assessment.
NBA Goes Global: Silver believes that the NBA is a very global league now, and that for example, folks in China are able to watch live games, even though there is a 12-hour difference. Because there are so many global options, and the NBA allows folks to watch one game at a time as an ‘ala carte’ basis, it has allowed more folks in the US, and around the globe to watch games they want, and their favorite players.
NBA Draft/College Age of Entry: At the end of the interview, Francesa bought up the issue of college kids going into the draft after playing just one year at their respective colleges, and that this is not a college issue, but an NBA one. Silver stated that he “believes the age should be raised from 19 to 20, but this has been something that has been directed by the players.” He has talked to the NBAPA, and they plan on making it an issue in the next collective bargaining discussions.
NBA Players in Today’s League: Closing, Silver said that “players today are much smarter in their futures, than in the past.” “They are investing in the league, sneakers, branding, and making sure they are secure after their basketball days are over.” He said that the biggest thing that has changed in the two years that he has been Commissioner, is the amount of travel, and how much he enjoys visiting different teams and cities, while being very fortunate to be the head of the NBA at a “very good time for the sport.”
Adam Silver is certainly a breath of fresh air for a very popular sport, thanks to the likes of Curry, LeBron, Harden, Durant, and others. If this trend continues, the NBA will become more of a global success story, than a curiosity. He also has the foresight to see into the future of his league, his players, technology, and social media, the other three sports should take a lesson, and follow this plan, which will be highlighted five times over on Christmas Day.
