Opinion

It’s getting harder for sports leagues to monetize their biggest fans

Tuesday marked the opening of the NBA season, an annual ritual in which fans settle down in front of their televisions for many hours of happy basketball viewing, and broadcasters settle down for many hours of happily making money from them.

This ritual always matters both economically and culturally. But this year, it matters a little more than most because, in 2025, the league’s existing broadcast deal expires, and negotiations for a replacement deal are already underway. How much networks or streamers pay for the rights to air games will, in turn, help determine how much you pay for cable or streaming subscriptions, even if you never watch a game.