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NBA BASKETBALL BUSINESS NEWS STORIES

April 16, 2008

Bob Johnson may be disappointed by Charlotte's lukewarm reception to his basketball team, but the Bobcats and the city appear stuck with each other for some time. Johnson complained this week that Charlotte's corporate community isn't buying enough of his most expensive club seats and suites, and that he's losing money on the four-year-old NBA team. Charlotte Observer

But Johnson, the team's majority owner, said he won't sell or move the team -- and acknowledged that his arena deal with the city makes leaving virtually impossible. Details of the controversial arena contract suggest that Johnson received one of the best deals in the NBA, but he also is anchored to Charlotte for years. Charlotte Observer

The team must pay the city of Charlotte $200 million in damages if it leaves before 2010. The penalty declines gradually over the next 20 years, to $150 million if the Bobcats bolt between 2010 and 2015, to $70 million if they leave in 2018 or 2019. The team is free to go after 2030, when the city is expected to finish paying for the $265 million Time Warner Cable Arena. Charlotte Observer

The team paid about $20 million towards the arena's cost, a smaller share than what most NBA teams contribute. The Bobcats manage the arena and can keep all potential profits. They also must absorb all losses. The deal puts the team in position to be competitive, said one expert. Charlotte Observer

Bob Johnson, who lives in the Washington, D.C., area, is in Charlotte trying to reach out to businesses such as Harris Teeter, hoping executives will buy suites and premium seats. His targets include a who's who of Charlotte's business elite: Ken Thompson of Wachovia, investment banker Nelson Schwab III, Frank Harrison of Coca-Cola Consolidated, Fred Morganthall of Harris Teeter. Charlotte Observer

April 9, 2008

Tuesday night's Charlotte Bobcats game aired on Fox Sports Net South, the team's new cable TV home. Game tickets listed the venue's new name, Time Warner Cable Arena. Those were the first visible results of two deals announced Tuesday that give Charlotte's NBA team two things it has lacked since its inception: wide TV exposure and a corporate sponsor for the uptown arena. Charlotte Observer

Time Warner Cable released the Bobcats from a TV contract that kept games out of many Charlotte-area homes, allowing the team to make a deal with Fox Sports Net South, which is available on cable and satellite TV systems across the Piedmont. In return, Time Warner Cable got the naming rights to the arena, which has carried the Bobcats name since opening in 2005. Executives with the Bobcats, Time Warner Cable and Fox Sports Net South all declined to discuss the money and years involved in the deals, saying only that they were "long-term" and "multiyear." Charlotte Observer

The new name for the arena comes at an odd time -- when the Bobcats season is nearly over and after last month's high-profile ACC and NCAA tournaments at the arena have passed. Brian Kelly, Time Warner Cable's senior vice president of sales and marketing, said the company was "somewhat regretful" that it couldn't complete the deal before those tournaments. "We did everything we could to try and get there for that," Kelly said. Charlotte Observer

In the Charlotte area, Bank of America is paying the Carolina Panthers a reported $7 million a year over 20 years for NFL stadium naming rights, while Lowe's home improvement stores is paying $3.5 million a year over 10 years for naming rights to the NASCAR speedway in Concord. Lowe's spokeswoman Chris Ahearn said the company doesn't have a formula to measure its return on investment but that the naming rights "really gave us national exposure to a broader audience." Charlotte Observer

April 7, 2008:

The Charlotte Bobcats have apparently completed a deal that would greatly expand the NBA team's television exposure and place Time Warner Cable's name on the uptown arena -- two-and-a-half years after it opened. In a deal that has been discussed for months, telecasts of Bobcats games would move to Fox Sports Net, which is available in three times as many Carolinas homes as Time Warner's News 14 Carolina channel, the team's current cable TV home. Time Warner would get arena naming rights and release the team from its TV contract in a complicated deal. Charlotte Observer

Johnson and NBA commissioner David Stern both confirmed in recent weeks that a naming rights/TV deal was close to resolution. Stern has acknowledged he oversaw negotiations from his office in New York. Johnson told the Observer last week that he spoke personally with Dick Parsons, chairman of Time Warner, and with Rupert Murdoch -- chairman and CEO of News Corp., which owns Fox Sports. Charlotte Observer

A television industry source said the change would widen the Bobcats' potential TV audience from the current 1.2 million cable households -- games also are available on Time Warner in Greensboro and Raleigh -- to 3.8 million households across the Carolinas. Fox Sports Net aired Charlotte Hornets games before the team's move to New Orleans and has aired ACC basketball, Atlanta Hawks NBA games and Atlanta Braves baseball games. Charlotte Observer

Mar. 6, 2008:

After overwhelmingly passing a $121 million initiative to make its arena NBA-ready, Oklahoma City soon will get a chance to showcase itself again to the league. The NBA relocation committee will travel to Oklahoma City on March 25 to tour the Ford Center and talk to politicians and business leaders in an attempt to get a feel for how the city would hold up as the full-time home of a franchise. Tacoma News Tribune

That move gained steam when Oklahoma City passed its improvement initiative by nearly 62 percent Tuesday. Oklahoma City hosted a team for two seasons when it served as a temporary home for the New Orleans Hornets after Hurricane Katrina. Now, Mayor Mick Cornett said he’s ready to show that his city can be a permanent home to the NBA. Tacoma News Tribune

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and wireless magnate John Stanton are among the local investors behind an effort to buy the Sonics and cover half the cost of a $300 million KeyArena expansion to try to keep the team in Seattle, sources confirmed Wednesday. Neither Stanton nor Ballmer could be reached for comment Wednesday night. The other members of the investment group, Costco CEO Jim Sinegal and Seattle developer Matt Griffin, have previously disclosed their own involvement. Seattle Times

Seattle leaders are pushing the offer of private cash as a "game changer" that ought to sway state legislators to pass an arena package to keep the Sonics from moving to team owner Clay Bennett's hometown of Oklahoma City. The proposed 50-50 split beats anything put on the table by Sonics owners. Even some usual critics of taxpayer subsidies for pro sports — including anti-stadium activist Chris Van Dyk and Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata — say it could be a good deal. Seattle Times

But Bennett has repeatedly said the Sonics aren't for sale. And the effort to push a bill through the Legislature in the waning days of the session may share the fate of similar proposals over the past three years that showed up late and fell flat. Seattle Times

Even if a competing arena plan is approved in Olympia, Ceis acknowledged there is no guarantee that Bennett would sell the team back to local owners. Bennett and a group of Oklahoma businessmen purchased the Sonics and Storm in 2006 for $350 million from Schultz's group. The Storm was sold in January to a group of Seattle-area owners for $10 million. Seattle Times

Feb. 25, 2008: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Bob Wolfley), quoting Sports Business Daily, reports: American Airlines is to pay $195 million over 30 years ($6.5 million annually) for the American Airlines Center in Dallas, home of the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars. Royal Philips Electronics is to pay $185 million over 20 years ($9.25 million annually) for Philips Arena in Atlanta, home of the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers. Rounding out the top five is Minute Maid Co., which agreed to pay $170 million over 28 years ($6.07 million annually) for Minute Maid Park in Houston, home of the Houston Astros. Sources told the Journal Sentinel that Bradley Center officials could be expected to be looking for $20 million over 10 years, or $2 million annually. Of the 71 deals listing a total payout and number of years, 30 of them were for $2 million or less annually. A total of 28 of the deals were for 20 years.

April 5, 2007

"Under the most optimistic of circumstances, a new arena for the Sonics would help support 5,799 jobs and generate $340 million in taxes for state and local governments over 25 years, according to an economic analysis released Wednesday. However, a more conservative projection shows that if the arena lasted for a quarter-century, it still wouldn't produce enough tax revenue to cover the initial public subsidy the professional basketball team is seeking from the Legislature." Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Those were among the key findings in a report by Berk & Associates, a Seattle-based consultant that also showed the city of Renton could reap up to $20.5 million in taxes over 25 years from the arena. Renton Mayor Kathy Keolker, whose city commissioned the economic analysis, urged lawmakers to use the report as justification to fund the Sonics arena. However, two others -- an advocate for taxpayers and an economics professor who studies arena financing -- criticized the plan as too rosy and questioned whether the projections would come to fruition." Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"While Keolker lauded the benefits a new arena would bring to Renton, she also said the city has not made a firm commitment on how much it would contribute for the arena. Earlier reports indicated Renton could be on the hook for up to $100 million. Alex Pietsch, Renton's economic development administrator, said the city has up to $72 million in debt bonding authority it could use without a public vote. He also said the mayor is not willing to commit any of "this capacity without sufficient revenues to pay the debt back over time." Seattle Post-Intelligencer



January 26, 2007

"The owner of the Washington Wizards has asked the District for $50 million to renovate Verizon Center, and city officials are discussing whether to honor the request and pay for it with a tax increase on tickets, officials said yesterday. Wizards owner Abe Pollin, who built the $220 million sports arena with his own money in Chinatown nearly a decade ago, wants the extra money to upgrade all or some of its 110 luxury suites and replace its outdated scoreboard, District officials said. Those and other improvements would be designed to attract special events, such as championship basketball and hockey games." Washington Post

"Pollin's company argues that the city should give the arena a financial boost as a reward for its role as a catalyst of the downtown renaissance, city officials said. The 20,674-seat Verizon Center has served as the anchor of the Chinatown area's revival, a transformation into a bustling hub for restaurants and night life. Even without arena improvements, Billboard magazine ranked Verizon Center ninth worldwide in 2005 among all venues, according to information on the arena's Web site. Verizon Center has drawn 2.5 million fans to more than 220 events, including Wizards, Capitals and Mystics games, yearly." Washington Post

"The company plans to more than quadruple the price of luxury suites, which have been leased for $100,000 annually since the arena opened in 1997. The new price will be $450,000 annually for 10 years. Leaseholders include The Washington Post, Clark Construction, Bank of America and Pepco." Washington Post

January 12, 2007

"Mayor Buddy Dyer has been trying to convince Orange County officials that his plan to build a new arena for the Orlando Magic is a good one, but he found some other tough critics of the deal Thursday -- on his own City Council. When the Orlando mayor presented his proposed agreement with the Magic to the council Thursday, one city commissioner called it "half-baked," and two others said they wouldn't vote for it unless he adds more convenient parking for average fans." Orlando Sentinel

"The City Council was not asked to vote on the agreement, which lays out how the cost of building and running the $480 million arena would be shared. A vote was in Dyer's original plan, but late Wednesday he delayed it after county officials said a decision would be premature. Dyer said he'll bring the agreement for a vote Jan. 22. In the meantime, city staffers and Magic representatives will meet with county officials to talk about the county's concerns." Orlando Sentinel

"The Magic would contribute $50 million in cash, buy -- or find investors to purchase -- $100 million in bonds to help finance the building's construction, and pay rent of $1 million a year. The team also would pay the city $1.75 million a year for naming rights, luxury suites and advertising, an amount that would increase 3 percent a year." Orlando Sentinel

January 10, 2007

"According to financial figures released Tuesday for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, the Bradley Center owes the Bucks a total of $5.4 million. That money is expected to be paid out in three increments. According to the terms of the deal, $2.1 million is payable in the current fiscal year, $1.1 million has been deferred until no later than August 2008, and $2.2 million has been deferred until no later than August 2009." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"In addition, the Bradley Center in fiscal 2006 purchased suite tickets from the Bucks totaling $2.2 million, and will continue that support in the current fiscal year. Bradley Center officials said the financial support was part of a negotiated settlement with the Bucks and helps the Bradley Center's cash-flow situation." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"The newly released figures show the Bradley Center had a net loss in fiscal 2006 of $2.6 million, which was $1.3 million lower than the previous fiscal year. The loss includes an annual depreciation expense of $2.5 million." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

December 21, 2006

"After the Nuggets announced Tuesday the trade for Iverson, the team sold 340 season tickets in the first 30 minutes. That number increased to 600 by Wednesday afternoon. Andrews also noted there are about 1,500 seats remaining for Friday's game against Sacramento when Iverson is expected to make his Nuggets debut." Denver Post

October 18, 2006

"Former NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik has joined Galatioto Sports Partners, a New York investment firm that specializes in sports team sales in North America and Europe, the firm announced yesterday. "I'm flattered that Russ chose to join us given all the other options that he had," said Salvatore Galatioto , president of Galatioto Sports Partners. "Russ has incredible contacts, is really smart and has the perfect temperament for our firm." Washington Post

September 2, 2006

"The Suns organization and its fans have shown that they expect something big this season. The franchise is saying so with its annual preseason marketing campaign starting this weekend with the theme, "Eyes on the Prize." The basketball team often aims high but it is rare for the business side to match the optimism." Arizona Republic

"The Suns' fans are right in line with the notion, snatching up tickets to a point that Phoenix could sell out several games before the season starts." Arizona Republic

"The Suns' season ticket holders have renewed at a 93 percent rate, which Suns President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Welts said ranks third in the league and is well above the league's 85 percent target. With about 2,000 new season tickets sold, Phoenix has more than 13,000 "season ticket equivalents" (a term that accounts for how many seats are completely sold for every game, including partial-season packages) sold for the coming season." Arizona Republic



August 19, 2006

"The traditionally buttoned down Boston Celtics are jumping on the NBA’s entertainment bandwagon, with plans for celebrity-style courtside seats and dancing girls. High-rolling fans will have 16 perches - retailing from $1,250 to $1,500 per game - next to the players’ benches and along the court." Boston Herald

"But Celtics fans may have more than celebrity watching to keep themselves occupied. The team’ first dance squad - featuring 21 women from across the country - will take the floor this season. It’s part of an effort to rev up the entertainment at games." Boston Herald

"The Celtics are just one of several NBA teams pushing new courtside perches. The Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls are doing the same and charging an eye-popping $2,500 apiece." Boston Herald



August 14, 2006

"Word is, cable network FSN Ohio will pay the Cavs an estimated $25 million in its new broadcast contract. The $25 million will more than double what FSN Ohio had been paying for Cavs telecasts. It should give the Cavs one of the four richest TV contracts in the NBA." Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Cavs probably wouldn't have landed that massive deal if the Indians hadn't started their own cable network, SportsTime Ohio, several months ago. The presence of SportsTime Ohio gave the Cavs a big hammer in their contract talks with FSN Ohio: an option B if FSN Ohio didn't agree to their price demands." Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Here it is, less than two months before the start of training camp, and (the Milwaukee Bucks) still have no lease in one of the NBA's oldest buildings. The people who are handling the negotiations insist this is not a cause for alarm, but to see what is happening in Seattle, as well as with the state of the league, is to think otherwise." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"The SuperSonics were recently purchased by an Oklahoma City group, which has given the city of Seattle a year to come up with a plan for a new arena. Failing that, the team is expected to move to Oklahoma if the Hornets are able to return to New Orleans." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel



July 23, 2006

"Sports business experts confirm what just about everyone has suspected: Despite years of complaining about the dismal finances in running the Sonics and Storm, Howard Schultz and his partners snagged a profit of at least $90 million when they sold the teams last week. And while they had operating losses, the $350 million paid for the teams by Oklahoma City investors was $150 million more than Schultz and his 57 partners paid five years ago." Seattle Times

"This is a full price, especially for a team that has an unsettled arena situation that is losing cash," said Marc Ganis, president of Sportscorp Ltd., a Chicago-based sports business consulting firm. "This demonstrates that Howard Schultz, in addition to convincing Americans to fork over $5 for a 50-cent cup of coffee, was able to negotiate a good price for the Sonics." Seattle Times

"Recent sales include the 2004 sale of the New Jersey Nets for $300 million and the 2005 sale of the Cleveland Cavaliers and their arena for $375 million. In other business deals, uncertainty tends to diminish value. That's not necessarily the case here with questions over the lease of KeyArena, DeRosa said." Seattle Times

"And one expert said the $60 million in losses claimed by the Sonics were almost certainly softened by large tax write-offs available to sports-franchise owners." Seattle Times

"In the Sonics' case, team financial statements reported losses of $183 million for tax purposes over the last five years. That's three times the $60 million in cash losses taken by the team. Because the ownership group is organized as a limited-liability company, profits and losses flow through to the individual members, as do any taxes. That means Schultz and the other owners can use their share of the $183 million in losses to erase taxes on profits from other business investments." Seattle Times

"At a news conference Tuesday, Schultz said he had turned down offers of more than $350 million in order to sell the Sonics and Storm to a group that would try to keep the teams in Seattle. Sources told The Seattle Times last week those offers included a $425 million offer from Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, who wanted to move the team to San Jose, Calif." Seattle Times



"Sacramento's arena pact took months of excruciating on-again, off-again, and then on-again negotiations. Finally, the ultra-tense, 11th-hour deal emerged under arduous deadline pressure and enormous public scrutiny. Now comes the hard part: turning plans into reality." Sacramento Bee

"A scant 24 hours after the deal was sealed, the campaign officially kicked off Friday to persuade Sacramento County voters to approve a 15-year, quarter-cent sales tax to fund the bulk of the arena price tag and a host of other community amenities. Politicians, business leaders and Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof all were stumping to tout the benefits of a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex." Sacramento Bee

"The job ahead will be a difficult one. First, four of the five Sacramento County Board of Supervisors must vote affirmatively on Aug. 2 to place the sales tax increase question on the November ballot. Then, arena campaigners need to win over the public, which polls show is largely leery of taxpayer funding of an arena. The current sales tax rate in Sacramento County is 7 3/4 percent." Sacramento Bee

"The tax would generate at least $1.2 billion over 15 years. That money would go toward paying the bulk of the arena's price tag, estimated at between $470 million and $542 million. Also, a minimum of $594 million would go to the county and its cities for unspecified local projects." Sacramento Bee

"The Maloofs would pay off an existing loan from the city of nearly $71 million in a lump sum. Then, they would pay $4 million annually in rent for 30 years and put $20 million in a capital repair reserve fund. A public joint powers authority would own the building, and the Maloofs would pay to maintain it. All proceeds from all events, parking and concessions would go to the Maloofs." Sacramento Bee



July 20, 2006

"I have recently learned from different sources that the (LeBron James) Nike contract does have a location bonus. It is not a huge one, one that doubles his deal or would make the difference between signing a max contract or signing for the mid-level exception. I wanted to wait until after LeBron signed his contract to discuss it on in this forum because the last thing I want is more speculation about LeBron's grand plans and all his desires to go to New York or whatever." Akron Beacon Journal

"In the next few years, Nike will probably give James a new and richer contract. It will probably include location bonuses, too. It is business. If I were a fan, I'd be more concerned about basketball and how the Cavs get better." Akron Beacon Journal



July 18, 2006

"A high-ranking official for the National Basketball Association is negotiating directly with a consultant for Sacramento city and county in a last-ditch effort to craft a financing deal for a new Kings arena. Officials hope the increased involvement of NBA lawyer Harvey Benjamin, one of the league's top executives, will prod the Maloof family, owners of the Kings, into an agreement this week." Sacramento Bee

"Both sides agree that an arena would cost about $500 million, said participants in the talks. One of the biggest remaining issues, however, is how much the Maloofs would contribute. City and county officials said they have talked about a contribution from the family of roughly 20 percent to 25 percent. "We're not talking 50 percent, and we're not talking 10 percent," said Sacramento County Supervisor Roger Dickinson." Sacramento Bee



July 10, 2006

"Two weeks after intense negotiations on a private/public financing plan for a new Sacramento arena collapsed in frustration, talks have been resurrected. Representatives of the Kings, the city of Sacramento and Sacramento County, along with officials from the NBA, are scheduled to meet Tuesday in a last-second effort to reach agreement and secure a ballot measure in time for the November election." Sacramento Bee

"The most recent proposal would require voter approval for an increase in Sacramento County's sales tax. The revenue would help pay for a sports/entertainment complex to replace 18-year-old Arco Arena, along with other community projects for cities within the county. Though the participants remain divided on some fundamental issues -- foremost among them the cost of construction and the percentage of public and private contributions -- ongoing informal talks prompted a renewed, if tempered, sense of optimism and led to the upcoming meeting at the Palms in Las Vegas."



July 3, 2006

"Name a Cleveland Cavalier that graced a recent Wall Street Journal cover? Easy, right? LeBron James. No, guard Damon Jones. The low profile journeyman has gone global with endorsing a line of basketball shoes for China's Li Ning Co., the country's leading domestic athletic-shoe brand." Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Jones, who signed a four-year, $16.1 million deal with the Cavaliers in 2005, has an annual reported shoe salary of between $200,000 and $300,000. Bonuses are offered with personal and team performances." Cleveland Plain Dealer



June 16, 2006

"In the three years since he was essentially forced out as a front-office executive with the Washington Wizards, Michael Jordan has been looking for an opportunity to become a majority owner of an NBA team. But with no situations to his liking on the horizon, Jordan on Thursday finally accepted the long-standing offer of Charlotte Bobcats owner Robert L. Johnson to become a part owner of that franchise, which completed its second NBA season in April." Chicago Sun-Times

"Jordan's title will be managing member of basketball operations for the Bobcats' ownership group. ''We're elated to have Michael back in the league, both in an ownership and a management position, in an area of the country that's very important to him, where his contributions have been so well-recognized,'' NBA commissioner David Stern said." Chicago Sun-Times

"Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television, has known Jordan for years and first approached him about becoming a minority owner of the Bobcats shortly after Jordan left the Wizards. Jordan declined then, but Johnson made it clear the offer was available any time Jordan changed his mind." Chicago Sun-Times

"The league wants its icons associated with the game. Magic Johnson owns a piece of the Lakers. Larry Bird is president of the Pacers. And now Jordan owns a piece of the Bobcats. It also makes one of the most popular people on the planet the face of its only minority-owned major league sports franchise. For NBA commissioner David Stern, this is the culmination of a dream." Rocky Mountain News



June 15, 2006

"Former Charlotte banking executive Mac Everett has been offered a top management position with the Charlotte Bobcats, two informed sources told the Observer. Both sources indicated Everett has been offered the title of "vice chairman" of the NBA franchise, though it was unclear exactly what Everett's duties would entail if he takes the position." Charlotte Observer

"The Bobcats have lost their top three business-side executives in the past three weeks. Ed Tapscott resigned as president in late May, rather than be demoted to a position of less authority. Since then Peter Smul, the team's chief operating officer, and Chris Weiller, the chief marketing officer, were let go." Charlotte Observer



June 14, 2006

"The Maryland judge who last week ruled that Steve Belkin has the right to buy out his partners in the Hawks' and Thrashers' ownership group issued an amended order Tuesday that said Belkin is entitled to do so within 30 days. In last week's order, the judge left out --- apparently inadvertently --- the time frame." Atlanta Journal Constitution

"The amended order does not necessarily mean, however, that Belkin will take over the teams within a month. The other owners --- a group led by Bruce Levenson, Ed Peskowitz, Michael Gearon Jr. and Rutherford Seydel --- have said they will appeal the decision, and that likely would lead to a stay of the order." Atlanta Journal Constitution



June 13, 2006

"The Lakers said Monday they had increased prices in eight of their nine season-ticket pricing plans, an average of 4% to 5% overall. Courtside seats were increased from $2,100 a game to $2,200, a 4.8% change. Seats in six lower-level sections between the baskets — 101, 102, 110, 111, 112 and 119 — were raised from $210 to $220 a game, also a 4.8% increase." Los Angeles Times



"Like many NBA players in the 1990s who signed lucrative signature shoe deals, Shaquille O'Neal signed a five-year, $40 million deal with Reebok when he entered the league with the Orlando Magic in 1992. But the combination of wanting to run his own shoe business and a dressing down from a woman in Orlando who cried to the center about the high cost of his shoes convinced O'Neal to launch his own line." South Florida Sun-Sentinel | Nov. 9, 2005

"That's how O'Neal, with the Heat since 2004, formed his Shaq and Dunkman brand shoes, which retail for less than $40. Today's athlete signature shoes run $90 to $125." South Florida Sun-Sentinel | Nov. 9, 2005

"Both brands are licensed by Exeter Brands Group, which is a subsidiary of Nike." South Florida Sun-Sentinel | Nov. 9, 2005

"Time Warner put the value of the teams and Philips Arena rights at $250 million when it sold them to Atlanta Spirit last year. That figure included $142 million in arena debt. Atlanta Spirit hasn't disclosed and perhaps hasn't fully decided the individual ownership percentages that will be held by the remaining partners. "It's uncertain how things will come out within a range," Seydel said." Atlanta Journal Constitution / November 8, 2005

August 9, 2005: 2007 ALL STAR GAME IN VEGAS: Non-gaming economic impact for 2007 NBA All-Star is projected at $27 million. Other recent impact numbers include: 2005 Denver, $30 million; and 2004 Los Angeles, $30.3 million. Houston is projecting $50 million in 2006. (all figures provided by local convention and visitors bureaus)... All-Star 2007 is projected to draw more than 25,000 visitors who would utilize nearly 43,000 room nights in local hotels, including The Palms, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Bellagio, Monte Carlo and The Venetian. The NBA will utilize almost 5,000 room nights.

"However, the Sonics are experiencing financial difficulties – they say they lost about $15 million last season – and want to save as much money as they can on a new coach." Tacoma News Tribune / July 10, 2005

"After lowering prices on several season-ticket packages for the 2005-06 season and changing some of their marketing strategies, the Hornets are recording their highest sales figures since the team relocated to New Orleans in 2002, team officials said last week. Hornets' chief marketing officer Tim McDougall said the franchise has surpassed last year's total for first-time season-ticket buyers and have approached $1 million in new season-ticket sales revenue." New Orleans Times-Picayune / June 6, 2005

"The team declined to release specific new season ticket sales figures or the number of renewals among its season-ticket holders. But team spokesman Harold Kaufman said only 10 of the 54 luxury suites at New Orleans Arena remain unsold." New Orleans Times-Picayune / June 6, 2005

"The Hornets are hoping to increase home crowds, despite having the second-worst record in the league this past season at 18-64. They finished last in the 30-team league in attendance with a 14,221 per game average for tickets sold." New Orleans Times-Picayune / June 6, 2005

"To help draw bigger crowds, the Hornets unveiled a new pricing plan in March that included $999 season tickets for the corners of the lower bowl and $430 for the upper end zone sections behind the basket. For the 2004-05 season, a season ticket cost $1,935 in the same section and their lowest priced ticket for all 41 games was $860 in the upper ends." New Orleans Times-Picayune / June 6, 2005

"But one financial marker during the second quarter of each year - from April to June, during the playoffs - shows some consistency: the Garden division's revenues, as high as $193.9 million in 2000, when the Knicks played eight home playoff games, fell to $133.2 million in 2003, when there were no playoff games. During last year's second quarter, when the division's revenue jumped to $165.8 million, the Garden benefited from $6 million in higher Knicks revenue, $4.2 million in higher MSG Network revenues and a $10.3 million bonus from the Charlotte Bobcats expansion fee. The Garden also recorded a windfall when the Mets paid $54 million to get out of their FSNY contract after 2005; the Garden then gave itself a $41.8 million credit to reverse a liability tied to the TV deal." New York Times / April 22, 2005

"According to those close to (LeBron) James, several leadership changes in the private sector have put the brakes on potential multimillion-dollar endorsement contacts. Last year, James was in talks for a deal with McDonald's when CEO Jim Cantalupo suddenly passed away. Last week, Sony Corp. fired CEO Nobuyuki Idei for former CBS Broadcasting boss Howard Stringer. James had been in talks with Sony about being a pitchman as well." Akron Beacon Journal / Mar. 13, 2005

"Days before Bryant's June 2003 encounter with the woman, Nike had signed the Laker to a five-year contract worth at least $40 million." ESPN.com / Mar. 2, 2005

"Though Bryant didn't appear in television or print advertising last season, Nike still put him in a new shoe, which many Bryant fans knew was the Air Huarache 2K4. The shoe sold very well. The shoe Bryant is wearing this season, the Air Huarache 2K5, debuts in three colors in three weeks." ESPN.com / Mar. 2, 2005

"While Nike is not expected to put Bryant in commercials immediately, shoe retailing sources, who previously had indicated Nike would not use Bryant for the rest of the basketball season, now say they've been told the shoe company still might use Bryant in the near future. Despite his off-court troubles, many in Nike's core young market still support Bryant." ESPN.com / Mar. 2, 2005

"Swoosh and stripes, meet Brand X. As sports shoe companies such as Nike Inc. and Adidas-Salomon jump into China with both feet, they face a firmly entrenched homegrown rival that's hatching plans to trip them up: Li Ning Co. For years, the Beijing-based athletic footwear and apparel manufacturer has had the run of a domestic market that is now just finding its 2.6 billion legs. The company posts annual sales of about $200 million hawking affordable, no-frills sneakers to the masses, which long have valued price over style and performance. Revenue and profit for the first six months of 2004 are up 50% from the same time last year, according to the company's latest report." Los Angeles Times / Dec. 25, 2004

"Nike and Adidas have been hanging around China for years, quietly building brand loyalty through grass-roots basketball clinics and boutique sales. Their target is a middle class that, by Adidas' estimates, is expected to surge from 60 million consumers in 2002 to 150 million by the end of the decade. China's population is 1.3 billion. Now Canton, Mass.-based Reebok International Ltd. is taking the plunge with a campaign featuring favorite son and National Basketball Assn. star Yao Ming. All three firms are aiming to dramatically increase their retail outlets by 2008, when Beijing hosts the Summer Olympics." Los Angeles Times / Dec. 25, 2004

"Worldwide athletic-goods giant Nike, Inc. announced Thursday that University alumnus and current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Philip H. Knight will step down as CEO, effective Dec. 28. Knight, the top donor to the University in recent years, will retain his position as chairman of the Board of Directors when he is replaced by William D. Perez next month. The Knight family helped finance the $27.4 million renovation of the University library, which was completed in 1994. In 1996, Knight also donated $10 million to build the William W. Knight Law Center -- named after his father, who graduated from the University's law school in 1932 -- as well as $15 million more to finance endowed chairs and professorships, according to the University." Oregon Daily Emerald

"Knight still owns about 28 percent of the voting shares of Nike Class B stock and 92 percent of the non-voting Class A stock, according to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and reported by The Associated Press. Knight's combined salary and bonuses for this year were nearly $3.7 million, up from nearly $2.5 million last year, according to the AP. Nike has become a $12 billion global business, selling shoes, sports apparel and equipment." Oregon Daily Emerald

"The Charlotte Bobcats' aggressive recruiting campaign for naming rights at the uptown arena calls for a commitment of a decade or more at $4 million per year. According to sources familiar with the pitch, the Bobcats deal would be at the top of any NBA naming-rights pact for a market this size, double the dollars the Indiana Pacers generated in the Conseco Fieldhouse agreement." MSNBC.com / Nov. 15, 2004

"Team executives decline disclosing potential terms. Industry sources who have seen the proposal say the team wants $4 million annually over a period of 10 to 20 years." MSNBC.com / Nov. 15, 2004

"Despite those selling points, industry experts say the Panthers' $7 million-a-year stadium name deal is out of reach for the Bobcats. Some experts say a deal near $2.5 million is more realistic." MSNBC.com / Nov. 15, 2004

"Muhleman says regionally based companies are the likely candidates for buying the rights for the $265 million arena, which opens next year for the Bobcats' 2005-06 season. Most industry analysts view the financial-services sector -- the dominant industry here and among the most active sports-venue buyers in recent months -- as an unlikely match for the team." MSNBC.com / Nov. 15, 2004

"The contract of agent Arn Tellem, whose star-studded NBA and Major League Baseball client list includes Tracy McGrady, Reggie Miller, Jason Giambi and Hideki Matsui, expired on Sept. 29. Since selling his Los Angeles-based company, Tellem & Associates, to SFX in 1999 for about $25 million, Tellem has helped the District-based company become a premier sports agency with revenue that tops $100 million a year. If he leaves SFX, which is owned by Clear Channel Communications, many of the more than 20 NBA and baseball agents he oversees -- and the more than 200 athletes they represent -- could follow him, say sources within the company." Washington Post / Oct. 23

"Arn has the loyalty of every agent in this place," said one SFX agent, who requested anonymity. "Within six months, the entire basketball and baseball staff would be out the door with him. . . . If they let him leave it would say to us that they aren't willing to grow the business." Washington Post / Oct. 23

"An SFX spokeswoman said agency executives are confident that they can keep Tellem, who was out of the country and unavailable for comment. SFX is offering Tellem a larger role within the firm, say sources inside SFX, but he has told friends and co-workers that he wants to avoid making a long-term commitment. Should the two sides fail to cut a deal, Clear Channel could soon find itself competing against one its former top agents, a position that is not unique within the sector." Washington Post / Oct. 23

"Orlando Magic forward/center Dwight Howard has signed on to become a spokesman for the footwear and apparel manufacturer Adidas. Adidas announced the multiyear agreement today, but did not say how much Howard is receiving in the deal." Orlando Business Journal / Sept 28, 2004

"It appears Adidas is picking the cream of the NBA crop this summer. It also recently signed on new players including Josh Smith, drafted by the Atlanta Hawks; J.R. Smith, selected by the New Orleans Hornets; and Sebastian Telfair, picked by the Portland Trail Blazers." Orlando Business Journal / Sept 28, 2004

"Save for Emeka Okafor, Shaun Livingston is the last of the high-profile players from this year's NBA draft to sign a shoe deal. But a year after essentially cornering the market on the NBA's stars of tomorrow, Nike has chosen to take a seat on the bench. As of now, the world's largest athletic shoe company, which will generate more than $12 billion in sales this year, has only one player on its roster -- Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon -- who was selected in this year's NBA draft." ESPN.com / Sept. 16, 2004

"Nike could still pick up Gordon's college teammate Emeka Okafor, who was drafted second overall by the Charlotte Bobcats, but, in the eyes of shoe executives, power forwards and centers are not considered as marketable as small forwards and guards. The last of this year's high-profile shoe free agents, Shaun Livingston, just signed with Reebok. Ralph Greene, Nike's director of global basketball, told ESPN.com that Nike had interest in Livingston "but he chose to sign for more money." ESPN.com / Sept. 16, 2004

"Michael Jordan appeared on Gatorade bottles, but he never had his own flavor. The new darling of the sports marketing world, LeBron James, will have that privilege when 32-ounce bottles of Powerade's FLAVA23 hit stores next month." ESPN.com

"James participated in the process to select his namesake flavor. This past winter, Coca-Cola chemists went to the Ritz Carlton in Cleveland and put cups of sample flavors in front of the NBA Rookie of the Year, who, like Jordan, wears the number 23. James chose a red sourberry flavor. He then selected the color of the drink from a palette of possibilities, ultimately arriving at something very similar to the Cavaliers' wine color." ESPN.com

"Coca-Cola is counting on James to have a greater effect with Powerade, which has experienced considerable growth since it was brought to market in 1992. Powerade's share of the market is currently 14.9 percent compared with Gatorade's 81.2 percent, according to Beverage Digest, an industry trade publication. James' deal with the Powerade and Sprite brands is worth approximately $2 million a year, but there are incentives in his contract that will reward him if it is determined that his endorsement leads to greater sales." ESPN.com

Aug 2, 2004: "Owners of professional sports teams stand to gain tens of millions of dollars in the values of their franchises because of a single sentence buried deep in a sprawling piece of export-tax legislation now before Congress. The benefit to sports franchises is contained in a small part of an enormous bill introduced originally to settle a trade dispute with the European Union. But the legislation has since become laden with add-ons for interests ranging from tobacco farmers to Oldsmobile dealers." New York Times

Aug 2, 2004: "The proposed change affecting sports team owners, which has been passed without hearings or debate, would allow the owners to write off the full value of their franchises over 15 years. Existing law generally limits teams to writing off only the value of player contracts over three to five years. The biggest items subject to the expanded write-offs would be television and radio contracts." New York Times

Aug 2, 2004: "Two directors at Lehman Brothers, the investment bank, who specialize in sports banking and tax policy said the change could add 5 percent to sports franchise values. If so, it would represent a $2 billion windfall to franchise values, which totaled $41 billion in 2002, according to Forbes magazine." New York Times

July 12, 2004: "On their team Web site, the Magic already have sold more than 150 Nelson NBA jerseys, more than they've sold for No. 1 pick Dwight Howard." Orlando Sentinel

July 2, 2004: "Thomas wouldn't estimate the value of the Kings' cable rights, though the NBA average last season was $7.5 million a year, according to Shaw Sports Business. Such additional revenue could spell the difference between a profitable or financially losing season for the Kings. The club last year turned a $4 million profit, but has lost close to $30 million over the past five seasons, according to records provided to The Bee." Sacramento Bee

July 2, 2004: As one of only two teams in the NBA without a cable contract, the Kings are losing out on millions of dollars a year in revenue. And perhaps as important, they are missing the opportunity to cement a connection with fans up and down the Central Valley." Sacramento Bee

July 2, 2004: "Such additional revenue could spell the difference between a profitable or financially losing season for the Kings. The club (Kings) last year turned a $4 million profit, but has lost close to $30 million over the past five seasons, according to records provided to The Bee." Sacramento Bee

July 2, 2004: "On the court, Telfair has the vision and passing skills that few players have had, said Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks, a four-time NBA All-Star point guard. In the sports business world, Telfair is an executive's dream: clean-cut, well-spoken and well-known on the playgrounds. "Allen Iverson without tattoos," Adidas executive Kevin Wulff said." Oregonian

"Although Nike, Reebok and Puma made pitches to Telfair, he was sold on Adidas from the start. "The main thing for me is loyalty," Telfair said. "These are the people who took care of my high school teams, and they have been there for me outside of basketball." Vaccaro, who left Adidas last winter to reinvigorate Reebok's basketball business at a grass-roots level, said no other company had a shot." Oregonian

June 18, 2004: Final 2003-04 NBA Season Attendance

This year’s average regular season attendance of 17,050 fans per game is the highest since the 1997-98 season (17,135), the last season the NBA averaged more than 17,000 fans per game. NBA arenas were filled to more than 89.2% capacity, the fourth highest percent capacity all-time and the highest total since the 1997-98 season. Team-by-team attendance.

June 18, 2004: Final 2003-04 NBA Season TV Ratings

ABC - The full season on ABC (29 games) averaged a 4.6 rating, up +10% versus last year's 27-game average (4.2 rtg.).

TNT – The full season on TNT (95 games) averaged a 2.3 rating, up +10% versus last year’s 98-game average (2.1 rtg.).

Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals earned a 7.3 rating and averaged 6.5 million households, making it the most viewed NBA Playoff game in cable history.
The ratings for the NBA Playoffs helped TNT become the #1 ranked cable outlet for the important sweeps month of May.

ESPN – The full season on ESPN (90 games) averaged a 1.8 rating, up +20% versus last year’s 90-game average (1.5 rtg.).

Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals earned a 5.0 rating and averaged 4.4 million households, making it the most viewed basketball game in ESPN history and the most viewed 2nd Quarter program in the network's history.

June 18, 2004: NBA Finals TV Ratings

Game 5 Registered the Highest Rating for any NBA Finals Game since Game 6 in 2000 and the Highest of any NBA Finals Games 1 through 5 since 1998
ABC PRODUCES DOMINANT RATINGS WITH NBA FINALS

ABC Dominates Competition with NBA Finals Game 5 defeating NBC by 92%, CBS by 202% and Fox by 338%

13.8/23 Household Rating is 123% Higher Than Last Year’s Game 5

Game 5 had the most viewers, 21.84 Million, of any NBA Finals Game 1 through 5 since 1998

Five-Game NBA Finals Series Average is Highest Since 2001 Among Households, Total Viewers and Key Male and Adult Demographics.

ABC's Sunday, June 15 broadcast of the NBA Finals Game 5 in which the Detroit Pistons defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 100-87 to win their first NBA Championship since 1990 posted a national household rating of a 13.8/23 to rank as the No. 1 television program on Tuesday night and the highest rated Game 5 in an NBA Finals series since 1998.

The top rated markets for the five-game series are:
Detroit: 41.3
Los Angeles: 29.6
San Antonio: 20.1
Salt Lake City: 16.7
Houston: 16.3

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June 14, 2004: "After teaming with the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals, Chauncey Billups could be in position to team up as a pitchman for several companies. Andy Miller, Billups' agent, said Sunday that shoe companies, car dealerships, banks and financial institutions have contacted him about hiring his Denver-raised client." Denver Post

June 5, 2004:

"According to published reports, similar small-market NBA franchises make between $12 million and $22 million per season from their local cable deals. Without such a deal this season - and perhaps next - the Kings must make tough choices such as whether to sign a player like Jim Jackson - even at a bargain cost of $2.4 million per season." Sacramento Bee

"So how could the Kings' ownership owe nearly $84 million? City officials say the explanation is simple: The Kings were given two loans in 1997 - one to help shore up their finances, and another to help them pay the first loan back." Sacramento Bee

"The Pistons and Lightning are part of Palace Sports & Entertainment, whose other holdings include The Palace, DTE Energy Music Theatre, the Arena Football League's Detroit Fury and the WNBA's Detroit Shock, which won the championship last season." AP via Contra Costa Times

May 5, 2004:

"The NBA is projecting $3.3 billion in licensed merchandise sales for the 2003-04 season, best in pro sports, 154 percent above its total three years ago, and the first time it will top the mighty NFL in this category." Washington Times

"In fairness, the NBA is not totally backsliding with regard to TV ratings. Regular-season viewership on ESPN grew 8 percent compared to last year, and TNT was up 17 percent. ABC, which aired 14 games, dropped 8 percent. During the first round of this year's playoffs, TNT stayed flat compared to 2003 and ESPN increased its average rating 5 percent." Washington Times

"TV ad sales for pro basketball have followed commensurately, dropping from $769.4 million in 2002 to $579.4 million last year, according to New York-based TNS Media Intelligence. That total also includes spending on the WNBA, but much of the decrease owes to the men." Washington Times

April 13, 2004: Most popular NBA jerseys
See the 25 most popular NBA player jerseys and 10 most popular NBA team jerseys of the season.

April 3, 2004: "Operations and bookings at the city-owned Target Center will be handled by a partnership created by Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor under a deal approved Friday by the Minneapolis City Council. Target Center's primary tenants are the NBA Timberwolves and the WNBA Minnesota Lynx, also owned by Taylor. Taylor's firm will handle personnel matters at the arena. His partners in the Midwest Entertainment Group, the James M. Nederlander Co., will book concerts and other events." Minneapolis Star Tribune

Mar. 16, 2004: The Miami HEAT and Sunshine Network, a Fox-owned regional sports network, today announced a new long-term agreement providing Sunshine exclusive regional television rights to the NBA franchise. This agreement extends a successful television and marketing partnership that began between the two parties more than a decade ago.

Mar. 4, 2004: "The Rockets, beginning next season's season-ticket drive, raised the price on 2,900 club seats and lowered the price on 4,200 other lower-bowl tickets. In addition to the price changes, the Rockets have brought their payment schedule more in line with much of the NBA, with the first 25 percent payment for renewals due March 15." Houston Chronicle

Mar. 4, 2004: "The lower bowl's $50 season tickets were reduced to $45 per game, and the $60 season tickets were cut to $55. The club seats that have been $175 per game were increased to $180. The $135 club seats were increased to $150, and the $125 club seats were increased to $130. Those club seats have been sold out this season with a waiting list. "It was our first year doing club products, so we took our best shot with the pricing," McDougall said. "The $175s and $125s hardly moved (in price) at all. The $135s, we have a huge waiting list. We know we have a lot of demand for them. Rather than take a price increase across the board, in the area we have a lot of demand and a product that's gotten very good reviews from our customers, we're taking a price increase." Houston Chronicle

Mar. 1, 2004: "Only seven of the 47 owners of Rose Garden luxury suites with contracts that expire after the Portland Trail Blazers finish this NBA season have said they will renew their leases. Team officials assured fans it would be business as usual after the Oregon Arena Corp., which owns the Rose Garden, declared bankruptcy last week. But the luxury suites, which have a median price of $116,000, are a significant source of income for a team already losing many millions of dollars." Source: Associated Press

Feb. 28, 2004: "In the collective bargaining negotiations under way, the NBA will soon seek a deal in which it can use the National Basketball Development League as a limited farm system. Players drafted into the NBA would earn their NBA paychecks but could play and improve in the D-League instead of rotting at the end of NBA benches." Houston Chronicle

Feb. 28, 2004: "It has not been brought up yet," a source familiar with the NBA's negotiation plans said on condition of anonymity. "But if the players association does not agree to an age limit, that is definitely a topic that will be discussed." The union will fight it. But with so many players coming into the league without the training to be professional basketball players, it would seem to be to their benefit to develop in a situation designed for little else." Houston Chronicle

Feb. 28, 2004: "Two weeks ago, the NBA said it expected to send the Hawks sale to the league's owners for an approval vote "in a week or so." Two weeks later, the league still hasn't done so. Which can come as no surprise, really, to those who have followed the protracted Hawks-Thrashers sale. "The process is still ongoing," NBA spokesman Tim Frank said Friday, "and we have not committed to a date" for a vote." Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Feb. 28, 2004: "One issue being hashed out in the past week involved legal language regarding how the nine-man Atlanta Spirit ownership group, which has no majority partner, would deal with the NBA and NHL requirements that one person have authority to represent ownership on league matters." Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Feb. 28, 2004: "The Hawks-Thrashers buyers have been considering candidates for the position of CEO, who would oversee the teams and Philips Arena on a day-to-day basis. Word is, they've zeroed in on their top candidate: Bernie Mullin, a longtime sports executive who has been the NBA's senior vice president of team marketing and business operations since 2000. Word, too, is that he'll be visiting Atlanta this weekend." Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Oct. 23, 2003: Yao Ming signs with Reebok. It's a multi-year contract. Yao's previous deal was with Nike. Yao will be in television ads, print ads, promotional appearances and other things on the side, plus he will have his own line of sneakers and apparel.

Oct. 10, 2003: Sonny Vaccaro now works for Reebok. Sonny is a legend in the sneaker-related basketball world. He's more or less why Michael Jordan originally signed with Nike and why adidas developed into the powerhouse it did. He's one of the most influential figures in the history of amateur basketball as well, starting the first-ever high school all-star tournament.

Oct. 3, 2003: Shoe companies sold almost $8 billion worth of sneakers in 2002.

Sept 29, 2003: NBA TV has signed deals with Time Warner, Cablevision and Cox Communications, and will be much more available to the masses starting this season. See details.

Sept 3, 2003: USBL salaries average around $400 a week, InsideHoops.com reports.

Sept 3, 2003: CBA salaries average around $15,000 a season, InsideHoops.com reports

August 22, 2003: LeBron James signs with the Coca-Cola company. It's said to be a six year deal that will have James helping to promote Sprite and Powerade. The deal is said by the NY Times to be worth around $2 million per year. James had recently been negotiating with PepsiCo, who own Gatorade. But, nothing came of it, and he's now with Coke.

August 6, 2003: Kevin Garnett signs with Adidas. KG was with Nike for five years, And 1 for two years, and now he's with Adidas. ESPN sources claim that it's for about $2 million a year. It's considered a "lifetime" type of deal, which means that there's no definite end in sight. If things go well for both Garnett and Adidas, it could last for a long time. Tracy McGrady and Tim Duncan are also with Adidas.

August 2, 2003: LeBron James Jersey Sales: The AP reports that sales of LeBron James' jerseys have exceeded $4 million since they went on sale just 5 weeks ago on the night of the NBA draft, June 26. James is single-handedly reviving the marketability of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

July 29, 2003: NBA Television Info: In the 2003-04 NBA regular season, ABC will televise 18 games. Last year they had 14. ESPN will televise 72 games, most of which will be on Wednesday and Friday nights. TNT will televise 52 games, most of which will be Thursday nights.

July 28, 2003: Streetball Salaries: InsideHoops.com sources state that the AND 1 mixtape streetball team members, who spend about three summer months touring all around the country, earn salaries ranging from $50,000 to $100,000.

July 28, 2003: ESPN TV Ratings: The NBA provided a tremendous lift to ESPN last season (2002-03 season), the first of a six-year agreement. ESPN's regular-season games achieved a 54% increase in the audience compared to the same time slots in 2001-02. The increase among men 18-34 was 100%.

July 10, 2003: Nike has bought Converse. Yes, the company has bought the company. Sources say the deal was for $305 million. Converse is best known for their Chuck Taylor All Star shoe and the Converse Weapon shoe that Larry Bird and Magic Johnson wore. Converse dominated the sports footwear market for decades, but Nike became the leader in the 1980's. In the early 1990's, Converse had serious financial problems and was forced to declare bankruptsy, reorganizing their company. Now, they're Nike's. In 2002, Nike had $10.7 billion in revenues, while Converse had $205 million. - InsideHoops.com

July, 2003: Kobe Bryant's new contract with Nike is for 5 years, $41 million. Kobe also makes $10 to $15 million more in other endorsement contracts.

July, 2003: Kobe Bryant's Other Contracts: His deal with McDonalds ends in late 2003, and his deal with Sprite ends in 2005.

Random Fact (July 12, 2003): Texas has no state income tax.

May, 2003: LeBron James Nike Deal. LeBron James' deal with Nike is for a reported 7 years, $90 million. He signed it in May.

April 17, 2003 - ESPN TV Ratings: For its first season of NBA coverage in 18 years, ESPN averaged a 1.20 rating for 69 regular-season games. This represents an increase of 54% for the time slots, from a 0.78 for the 2001-02 season. Among men 18-34, the increase was 100%, from 0.63 to 1.26. Among men 18-49, the increase was 80%, from 0.61 to 1.10.

David Stern Speaks
(April 11, 2003) David Stern on the future of NBA TV coverage.

(July 22, 2002): New NBA television contracts: For games from the 2002-03 to 2007-08 seasons, ABC/ESPN is paying $2.4 billion for 6 years. For games from the 2002-03 to 2007-08 seasons, TNT is paying $2.2 billion for 6 years.

(July 22, 2002): Games on (free) network television: There will be 15 games (plus some playoffs and finals games) on free network television (ABC) from 2002-03 till 2007-08. In 2001-02 there were 34 games (plus playoffs and finals) on free network television (NBC). In 2000-01 there were 69 games on free network television (NBC). In 1999-00 there were 71. The previous 8 years, each season there were 50something games on free network television.