Yep but it may catch up with them. If the fans notice that the product is openly corrupt, they’re going to stop paying for it.
“If the fans notice that the product is openly corrupt, they’re going to stop paying for it.”
Might not agree with you.
According to Forbes´ data, the NBA, with its 30 teams generated a total of US$ 10 billion in revenue in the 2021-2022 season, after two years of losses from the pandemic. In 2019, revenues stood at US$ 8.8 billion and fell to US$ 6.2 billion in 2021. The post-pandemic return was 57% growth in revenues. During the 2023/24 season, the 30 franchises comprising the National Basketball Association (NBA) recorded a total revenue amounting to 11.34 billion U.S. dollars. So even with the brutalizing of the game going from a graceful technical game in the 1950’s and 60’, to a fistfight with calls misusing the rule book being tossed out there along with rule changes designed to fill the seats, the game has gotten stronger financially over the years.
The fan has changed to accept the violence and interpretation of the game. Pushing off, climbing backs, traveling, carrying the ball, and the acceptance of lesser shooting percentages has become the norm. I called my last NCAA game in 1989 and it was even going to the way of the fight and lesser ball skills required. So as long as the gladiator atmosphere exists, it will be followed by the thug fans to go with the thug players. It’s not a game. It’s a business and has nothing to do with sport.
wy69