NBA Regional Pregame Shows Might Soon Become Thing Of Past

October 4, 2024

Fewer things justify their existence — and the money that comes with it — than regional NBA pregame shows. Teams generally have to cut major advertising and sponsorship deals just to make them happen.

Postgame shows are one thing, as history proves that people tend to stick with a regional sports network (i.e. Bally Sports) after a game. But tuning in more than five or 10 minutes before tipoff? Yeah, no one cares. Just give us the game.

This is a reality that NBA teams across the nation are beginning to realize. They’re seemingly starting to ask themselves, Why go through the trouble of putting together an entire 30-minute pre-game show, when no one tunes in until five minutes before tipoff?

Instead of an entire show, you could just do an introduction to the game, with the play-by-play person, color analyst, and sideline reporter just to set things up and briefly discuss what’s ahead. Well, guess what? Teams do that anyway — after going through an entire unneeded 30-minute show beforehand.

Production of those shows isn’t cheap. And NBA teams are asking themselves if the juice is worth the squeeze. Seriously, though? Would anyone notice if, say, the Grizzlies’ pre-game show went away? That’s not to pick on the Grizzlies, but it’s to show that the answer for every team would be this: No. Nobody would notice Nobody is watching now, anyway.

Now, this isn’t the case for NBA games on the national level, from ESPN/ABC to TNT, and soon, NBC Sports and Amazon. Those pregame shows are well-received. They make money.

But as you likely know, the NBA’s primary regional network, Bally Sports, is about to go under. It’s on its last legs of broadcasting pro basketball or perhaps existing at all. Everyone is starting their own ways of bringing games to fans on a local level. That will be in full effect for the NBA and other sports next year.

But industry insiders have repeatedly told Hoops Wire that at least several teams are thinking of dumping the 30-minute pregame shows once they move to the team-owned regional networks. And all it will take is for one team to do it. Then everyone else will make the wise move to follow along.