TNT and ESPN want flexible scheduling; NBA does not

[bagelred]

As the networks start negotiations with the league on a new TV deal, ESPN and Turner want more assurances they won’t be locked into bad matchups like that at the end of the season. Network executives have made it known to the league they want the same type of flex scheduling the NFL uses for NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” to ensure that a Bryant-less Lakers don’t have an exclusive national TV audience on a Thursday night or a Sunday afternoon.

But while the networks would like greater flexibility to swap out those less-than-desired matchups and adjust game times to suit national telecasts, sources close to management say the league’s owners are wary about such a move.

Unlike the NFL, where national TV revenue drives the financials, local TV deals are critical in the NBA, and sources say NBA team owners are firm in their resolve to preserve that lucrative revenue; they believe flex scheduling could threaten it.

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2014/04/28/Media/NBA-flex.aspx

Geez, c'mon NBA, give us da flex. Why do they have to decide at the beginning of the season the games they want to show in April? Why? Why I asks ya?

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Definitely need this. This season was especially bad. No Kobe, no Rose, Knicks sucked, Nets sorta sucked.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Owners are being short-sighted. Local networks get to broadcast most national tv games anyway. They are hurting their popularity in markets that don't have an NBA team and that effects not just America but tv broadcasts worldwide.

[ArbitraryWater]

NBA, do it for the good of the League. Come on

[MostHated305]

I'd be careful about wanting this deal to go through.

It would be very damaging to small market teams or teams that just suck all together.


The networks just want more ad revenue which doesn't benefit the league at all.

[christian1923]

What could TNT even do on a Thursday night. Only about three games are played that night. They already show two of them and the other game usually sucks.

[Le Shaqtus]

No offense Lakers fans but...

So many shitty Laker games on National TV, and they all blew ass, it was a complete waste of a good spot. Expected when your star player is gone the whole season. Only bright spots were Gasol, Nash and Swaggy P.

Also the Knicks were also super shit, those games were unwatchable. The Knicks and Lakers had the most spots and they were the teams that were the worst to watch.

[Clutch]

Definitely need this. This season was especially bad. No Kobe, no Rose, Knicks sucked, Nets sorta sucked.
True. We need flex scheduling.

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

Def need flex scheduling in the last couple weeks of the season.

[Flash31]

They either need flex scheduling or
not broadcasting 40+ games of NY,LAL,Chi,Bkn

Tor had basically 0 games,
Lac got less games than LAL
Ind,Mem,SA had less games than Okc,Hou,Chi
and Mem,SA,Ind were in the CF last year

Ny may be NY and LA,Chi,Bos big too but people dont want to watch 40+ games of them over others every year

While they get 25-30+ games some teams get 1-5 which is just stupid

They should do it every year by PO results and then starpower,excitement,big city and ten unexpected teams

So this year most games wouldve been
MIA,SA,Ind,Mem,Okc,GS,Lac,Chi
followed by Hou,LAL,NY,Por

Top 4 should be Mia,OKC 1&2 Best 2 Players,most exciting teams,most successful teams
SA and LaC get 3&4 spots
Highest winning team, very exciting team,LA,Two Great Stars,Good team

It's utterly beyond boring,dull that LAL and NY get the Christmas games Every Year
It may be LA and NY but if they didnt go far in po last year unless theyre good this year NO
or always have

a combo of Mia/SA/Okc/Lac
Lac/LAL
NY/Bkn
Bos/LAL
Chi/Ind/NY/Mia/Mem
and then two exciting teams

[crisoner]

Definitely need this. This season was especially bad. No Kobe, no Rose, Knicks sucked, Nets sorta sucked.

THIS!

[Solefade]

why is everyone using silkk's avy?

[mr.big35]

why are nba against flex schedule.

[bagelred]

What could TNT even do on a Thursday night. Only about three games are played that night. They already show two of them and the other game usually sucks.

So? That third game gives TNT more flexibility. Can make all the difference.

[The-Legend-24]

And nikkas wonder why the Lakers payed Kobe that much, the dude brings in the money in bunches.