NBA Waiting on LeBron James to Set Next Season TV Schedule
The Hollywood Reporter • • general
Key Points:
- The NBA is delaying finalization of its 2026-2027 schedule until LeBron James announces his next team, as his destination will significantly impact key scheduling decisions like opening week and Christmas Day games.
- Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged that the league and its media partners, including NBC Sports, ESPN, and Amazon, are eager to lock in the schedule but must wait for James' decision, hinting that some storylines, such as a return to Cleveland, might be preferable.
- Silver discussed potential league expansion, noting Bob Iger's interest in a Las Vegas team, and highlighted the ongoing shift of NBA local media rights toward streaming platforms like YouTube and ESPN, emphasizing a hybrid model with local broadcast to maximize reach.
- Addressing the recent controversy involving WNBA star Caitlin Clark, Silver confirmed he requested a review of a questionable foul call, which was later upgraded to a flagrant foul, and expressed concern over Clark being unfairly politicized in media discussions.
