Episode Summary

NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum joins Alex Sherman to discuss the league’s surging ratings, new media partnerships, international expansion plans, ticket accessibility, draft lottery changes, and how AI could shape officiating. The conversation offers a high-level look at where the NBA is headed across Europe, Africa, Seattle, Las Vegas, and beyond.

Episode Notes

NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum joins Alex Sherman for a wide-ranging conversation on the business, growth, and future of professional basketball. Tatum discusses why NBA ratings are climbing, how new media partners like NBC and Amazon are helping tell player stories, and why the league sees major long-term opportunities in Europe, Africa, and domestic expansion markets. The episode also covers the economics of NBA Finals ticket prices, the league’s approach to fan accessibility, the evolving draft lottery system, and how technology and AI may assist referees with calls in the future. Plus, sports professor Rick Horrow joins the podcast to talk this week in sports.

Topics discussed:

• Why NBA regular season and playoff ratings have surged
• The impact of star players, competitive balance, and Finals viewership
• How NBC, Amazon, ABC, and ESPN support NBA storytelling and distribution
• President Donald Trump attending Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals Game 3
• Jim Dolan, the New York Knicks, and the team’s Finals run
• High NBA Finals ticket prices and secondary market dynamics
• NBA Europe expansion plans and the target launch timeline
• What the NBA is looking for in European ownership groups
• Potential NBA Europe cities, investors, media partners, and competition model
• Basketball Africa League growth, investor interest, and economic opportunity
• Domestic NBA expansion discussions around Las Vegas and Seattle
• Other possible future markets, including Mexico City and Vancouver
• Draft lottery reform, anti-tanking incentives, and the proposed 3-2-1 system
• Player availability, regular season length, and the role of the Emirates NBA Cup
• AI and technology in officiating, including goaltending reviews

Timestamps:

01:43 New NBA media rights partners, NBC, Amazon, ABC, and ESPN
02:35 President Trump attending Knicks-Spurs Finals Game 3
03:46 Jim Dolan, the Knicks, and the team’s turnaround
04:49 NBA Finals ticket prices and fan accessibility
07:01 NBA Europe expansion plans and possible launch timing
08:46 What makes a desirable NBA Europe owner
09:36 How NBA Europe could interact with NBA teams
11:50 NBA Africa investment opportunity and Basketball Africa League growth
14:07 Media partner interest for NBA Europe
15:10 Domestic expansion focus on Las Vegas and Seattle
17:09 Draft lottery reform, anti-tanking, and competitive balance
19:21 The ongoing Aspiration lawsuit process
20:32 Regular season length, player availability, and the Emirates NBA Cup
22:39 Potential NBA rule changes and competition committee priorities
23:23 AI and technology in NBA officiating

Mentioned in this episode:

• NBA
• NBA Finals
• New York Knicks
• San Antonio Spurs
• NBC
• Amazon
• ABC
• ESPN
• Basketball Africa League
• NBA Europe
• FIBA
• Emirates NBA Cup
• Madison Square Garden
• Garden of Dreams Foundation
• Las Vegas
• Seattle
• Mexico City
• Vancouver
• Summer League
• AI officiating technology

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