Rocky Road for NBA Financially

According to published reports from Forbes via ESPN, about 15 NBA franchises are losing money. The Lakers unfortunately are ranked as the most financially solvent with the Knicks and the Bulls coming in second and third. The Celtics were not mentioned specifically as to financial status, but the C's were not among the teams listed as losing money. I was shocked to see the Hawks are losing cash, since they have one of the most exciting young teams in the league. With the state of the economy, it looks like doom and gloom for the long range survival of the NBA in its' present form. I foresee massive contraction in the next 10-15 years!-MD.

MDCelticsFan wrote:According to published reports from Forbes via ESPN, about 15 NBA franchises are losing money. The Lakers unfortunately are ranked as the most financially solvent with the Knicks and the Bulls coming in second and third. The Celtics were not mentioned specifically as to financial status, but the C's were not among the teams listed as losing money. I was shocked to see the Hawks are losing cash, since they have one of the most exciting young teams in the league. With the state of the economy, it looks like doom and gloom for the long range survival of the NBA in its' present form. I foresee massive contraction in the next 10-15 years!-MD.

MD:

I've always felt that the support for the Hawks was tepid at best. Considering that 'Niques has been the face of the franchise forever and the town really belongs to the Braves, what else would one expect? The NBA and particularly the Hawks would have been better off in St. Louis where Bob Petit was the franchise face.

I would think that local and state government would pitch in to make sweatheart deals with teams, like they do with industry, to keep them solvent. No? Not possible?

GC

GC also i think the cost for hawks tickets are way too high

MDcelticfan - The notion that we may see a contraction is a very real possiblity. If a few teams folded it may be good for the league.

dboss

From the viewpoint of quality of the game, I'd personally prefer a league of about half the number of teams. The resulting supply and demand ratio might also help to depress salaries to more a semi-realistic level. But I'd feel badly for the many disenfranchised fans, many of whom might be supporting their teams better if they could afford to in this economy.

Sam

Far fewer jobs as a result of contraction would mean less opportunity for young athletes to pursue this road as a means to help their disadvantaged families in pursuit of a better quality of life. Even the NFL is feeling the pinch. I can't remember recently when there's been a year where so many games have been blacked out in hometown markets: particularly Jacksonville! Maybe adjustments such as flex payments over a longer time period could help some fans keep season ticket packages. Maybe smaller market, second tier teams could offer a 2 tickets, one at full price for say a game with the Lakers or the Celtics and a half price deal on the ticket for a home game with say the T-Wolves, or the Nets!-Just a thought!-MD.