The average NBA franchise is worth much more than a year ago, per Forbes. In other news, NBC Sports has acquired rights to a new boxing series, and a slew of NBC shows will head to Glendale for the Super Bowl.
NBA Franchise Values Skyrocket
- The value of the average NBA franchise has risen to $1.1 billion, Forbes estimated this week, up nearly three-fourths from last year. The number of teams worth at least $1 billion has increased from 3 to 11, with the Lakers holding the top spot ($2.6B). The dramatic rise can be attributed in part to a pair of exorbitant deals struck last year — the NBA’s new $2.7B/year television deal with Disney and Time Warner and the Clippers’ $2.0 billion sale. Assuming the players opt out, the current NBA collective bargaining agreement expires in 30 months. (Forbes)
NBC Reaches Deal to Air Boxing Events
- NBC Sports announced last week that it has reached a multi-year agreement with the new Premier Boxing Champions series to televise live boxing events on NBC and NBCSN. The networks will combine for 20 telecasts this year, all on Saturdays, with five airing on NBC in primetime. The first telecast will be a primetime event on NBC March 7 hosted by Al Michaels. (NBC Sports Group Press Box)
Super Bowl to Host Numerous NBC Shows
- Myriad NBC programs, sports-themed and otherwise, will originate from the site of Super Bowl 49 next week. In addition to the usual suspects such as Pro Football Talk and The Dan Patrick Show, Glendale (AZ) will play host to NBC’s NHL and English Premier League studio shows, entertainment shows Access Hollywood and The Soup, NBC News programs NBC Nightly News and Meet the Press, and The Tonight Show. The synergistic gluttony has been a growing trend in Super Bowl coverage. (NBC Sports Group Press Box)
