http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2013/...ion-talks.html
AA has had several stories over the last 2 days that basically say that ESPN and Turner are huge favorites to retain their current rights, which is fine with me. Everything TNT does NBA wise, from games to studio shows, are great. ESPN's studio show is a constant work in progress, but their game production is also good. Plus, the other networks have no room for the NBA: NBC has NHL committments, CBS has golf and college basketball committments and their cable network is garbage, and Fox national has zero pro basketball experience and a brand new network which is unknown, plus NASCAR committments on Sunday afternoons.
Here is my question...would ESPN be smart or stupid to try to get the NBA to shift the Finals to cable as this article suggests they will try to do? Since the Finals are on broadcast TV right now, that gives them exclusivity since Turner has no broadcast outlet. If ESPN tries to get the NBA to shift the Finals to cable, could not then Turner use that to say, "Ok, if they can put the Finals on cable, we want in, give us the Finals in some years."
Another AA post on this topic did offer this intriging speculation (cannot find the link to the article): What if Turner tried to cut CBS into their deal in a manner similar to their relationship with the NCAA Tournament? It would be the NBA on TNT crew and analysts, just on CBS. 2 scenarios were dicussed here: 1 full season partnership and 1 that was just a playoffs partnership. It was said that the first scenario was unlikely given CBS' committments to college basketball and golf during the regular year, but an arrangement for the postseason was more feasible. The article did say this was highly unlikely, just an intriging thought, bringing back memories of the NBA on CBS theme. (Which was one of the great sports themes of all time)
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Originally Posted by cki3915
Go check out youtube. Some finals games used to be on CBS in the 90's.
