The pandemic has really hurt the revenue of the NBA.
https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/259994/NBA-Missed-Revenue-Projections-By-"
NBA Missed Revenue Projections By $1.5 Billion"
The NBA missed its revenue projections this season by $1.5 billion, sources told Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.
The losses were due to a combination of the shutdown due to the pandemic, the cancellation of 171 regular-season games, completing the season without fans, and losing $200 million in a rift with the Chinese government.
There have been no decisions on finalizing the start of next season's schedule, though beginning the season in December as opposed to January or later could generate the league an extra $500 million in revenue.
The NBA is currently targeting a December 22nd start date, with a 72-game season.
I'm wondering what's their projection in the coming season, despite this news, I'm hoping that NBA will survive and continue to provide us entertainment.
I honestly think the NBA should make amends with China at this point if only to regain their lost Chinese revenue stream, there's no point in continuing this stance they had about this "Free Hong Kong" affair said by the Rockets GM now that the protests mostly died out, they should find a way to apologize to China without mentioning Hong Kong by name as the fury that'll come from US politicians from doing that will block the chances of that working.
It'll probably be in the form of "we'll give you special favors if you let us broadcast preseason games in your country". I don't know how the NBA would accomplish that in detail.
At pandemic levels, an extra $200 million of revenue is a big deal, especially considering how the NBA is trying to target $500 million for the immediate term.