[Dilbert San Diego]

yes, the ratings have cratered for the NBA playoffs.

We hear what Adam Silver said. But what wasn’t said may be as significant. I’m sure there was a lot privately said behind closed doors, about how these ratings being so low, will negatively affect the TV contracts which give the NBA so much money in the first place. Networks won’t be willing to pony up nearly as much for the rights to NBA games if these ratings are going to be so bad.

And I’m sure things were said privately, about how not all NBA fans agree with Black Lives Matter, and don’t believe all this structural racism talk. And I’m sure things were said that with the NBA taking sides on a contentious social/political issue, is costing them fan support.

[Alberta's Child]

I think the current TV contract for the NBA runs until 2024. That’s plenty of time for the NBA to “right the ship” and recover. It’s also sufficient time that the NBA doesn’t really have to care about the collapse in their ratings for the short term. The TV money is guaranteed (presumably) — though may be that’s not exactly the case.

If I was a TV network executive I’d give some serious thought to suing the NBA to get out of my contract. The basis of the suit would be a breach of contract — because the NBA is staging political rallies, not basketball games.