The return of “Roundball Rock” to NBC is in doubt; the NBA is looking at a new format for the All-Star Game; Taylor Twellman is cleared to return to MLS coverage.
Tesh and NBC at odds over NBA theme
CNBC has reported that contractual negotiations between NBC Sports and composer John Tesh for the rights to the song “Roundball Rock” are still ongoing. The song was used as the theme for NBC’s NBA coverage from 1990-2002 and became synonymous with the network’s coverage of the league, but there are now doubts about its return as NBC prepares to resume NBA coverage next October.
Tesh recorded a new version of the song with a Nashville orchestra earlier this year, but his asking price may be too high as talks continue. Although unlikely, the possibility exists for Tesh to license the theme to Amazon or ESPN instead.
NBC used the original version of the song during its coverage of the Olympic basketball tournaments this summer, and Fox has used it for college basketball coverage for several years.
NBA considering bracket format for All-Star Game
On the heels of the two least-watched All-Star Games ever the last two years, the NBA is considering a number of alternate formats for its marquee exhibition, according to ESPN. The format that has gained the most traction would be a three-game bracketed event, with the victor of Friday’s Rising Stars game joining three eight-player teams in semifinal matchups followed by a championship game.
Commissioner Adam Silver has received input from an array of coaches, players, and executives. Last month he noted the league wants to “do a better job providing competition and entertainment for our fans”, even suggesting the showcase could move away from a traditional game format.
The four-team format would be similar to the way the NHL has structured its All-Star Game since 2016. The NFL has modified the main event of its Pro Bowl exhibition into a flag football game, interspersed with other challenges.
The 2025 NBA All-Star Game will be held in San Francisco on Sunday, February 16 and televised on TNT for the final time before moving to NBC in 2026.
Twellman returning to booth after incident
According to The Athletic, Apple TV’s lead MLS analyst Taylor Twellman has been cleared to return to work after an internal investigation cleared him of wrongdoing in an incident with an audio technician. The technician alleged that Twellman had made physical contact with him during a match on October 25, which resulted in Twellman removed from coverage of the playoffs on November 9. In a statement, MLS said that Twellman “made incidental contact with the member of the production crew in an effort to communicate with him without audibly interrupting the live broadcast.”
Twellman will resume working the Conference Semifinals on November 23-24.
