{"id":241814,"date":"2025-10-21T20:16:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T20:16:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/241814\/"},"modified":"2025-10-21T20:16:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T20:16:14","slug":"will-nba-fans-flock-to-nbc-opening-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/241814\/","title":{"rendered":"Will NBA fans flock to NBC opening night?"},"content":{"rendered":"

NBA Opening Night: NBC aims to clear 3 million viewer threshold…Adam Silver: WNBA players set for pay boost in new CBA…Silver draws WNBPA\u2019s ire with rev share comments.<\/p>\n

\"ShaiNBC has Rockets-Thunder in the early window, and those openers over the last five seasons have averaged 2.73 million viewers. Getty Images <\/p>\n

The NBA season tips off tonight on NBC, and the network should be looking to top an average of around 3 million viewers for the doubleheader. That\u2019s the ballpark average that TNT had over the last five seasons (2.94 million viewers) for its opening night doubleheader. For the second year in a row, NBA Opening Night will have no competition from the MLB LCS round.<\/p>\n

NBC has Rockets-Thunder in the early window, and those openers over the last five seasons have averaged 2.73 million viewers. Last year\u2019s Celtics-Knicks game in that window drew just over 3 million, which is the high mark for the early game over the last five years.<\/p>\n

In the late window, NBC has Warriors-Lakers, albeit without F LeBron James in the purple and gold. The Warriors and Lakers have been mainstays in this late window on opening night (playing twice against one another from 2020-2024). For each of the past five late windows on opening night, TNT averaged 3.15 million viewers, but last year, Lakers-T\u2019Wolves drew just 2.91 million. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\"NBANBA Commissioner Adam Silver said WNBA players are \u201cgoing to get a big increase in this cycle of collective bargaining and they deserve it.\u201d Getty Images <\/p>\n

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said WNBA players are \u201cgoing to get a big increase in this cycle of collective bargaining and they deserve it.\u201d Silver, speaking on NBC\u2019s \u201cToday\u201d show, said as players in the WNBA are calling for more money<\/a> — they get 9% of total revenue compared to roughly 50% of the revenue of NBA players — the share of the WNBA\u2019s revenue \u201cisn\u2019t the right way to look at it because there\u2019s so much more revenue in the NBA.\u201d Rather, he thinks people \u201cshould look at it in absolute numbers in terms of what they\u2019re making.\u201d Silver, when speaking on this season\u2019s NBA All-Star game, said they are \u201cgoing to look at a Ryder Cup type format\u201d as they will be \u201cright in the middle of the [2026 Milano-Cortina Games], which of course will also be on NBC.\u201d Silver: \u201cRoughly a third of our league is international, so we have to figure out a way to make it fair to the All-Stars that if one third of the team is international, we want to make sure that us all stars get a fair shot\u201d (\u201cToday,\u201d NBC, 10\/21).<\/p>\n

\"UNCASVILLE,The WNBPA appears incredulous about NBA Commissioner Adam Silver\u2019s inference this morning that the league does not favor revenue sharing in current CBA negotiations. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images <\/p>\n

With WNBAers already irked by their own commissioner Cathy Engelbert<\/a>, the WNBPA appears bothered by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver\u2019s inference this morning that the league does not favor revenue sharing<\/a> in current CBA negotiations.<\/p>\n

WNBA players have repeatedly said revenue sharing is a high priority in CBA negotiations — with the idea their salaries would grow as the league grows — so Silver\u2019s simple assurance of a \u201cbig increase\u201d without including a revenue share model apparently did not go over well. On its Instagram story, following the show, the WNBPA posted the video of Silver saying, \u201cI think share isn\u2019t the right way to look at,\u201d alongside a headline: \u201cDon\u2019t want to share, @adamsilvernba?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sources also said that, internally beyond the Instagram post, the WNBPA was disappointed by Silver\u2019s wording.<\/p>\n

With the WNBA\u2019s current CBA expiring on Oct. 31st — though an extension is likely — there was thought Silver might placate the players<\/a> who have voiced their displeasure<\/a> over Engelbert. But the NBA\u2019s owners have lost money on the WNBA for decades, and a revenue share model is not a simple proposition for them at this time. That likely leaves negotiations at a clear impasse, with players seemingly firmly against a deal with a fixed rate of growth.<\/p>\n

\"VillarrealRelevent Sports says it has informed La Liga of the need to postpone the Dec. 20 match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF in Miami. Getty Images <\/p>\n

Relevent Sports says it has informed La Liga of the need to postpone the Dec. 20 match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF in Miami<\/a> that was slated to be the first regular-season league game ever held outside a European league\u2019s home country. Relevent, which has a 15-year joint venture with La Liga to promote the Spanish soccer league in North America, was set to promote and operate the historic match. <\/p>\n

The decision follows a weekend in which players staged on-field protests about the game being moved outside Spain with Barcelona\u2019s top rival, Real Madrid, expressing staunch opposition to the plan<\/a>. Relevent and La Liga have been pushing to stage a match in Miami since 2018, and it appeared this December\u2019s game would be the culmination of those efforts.<\/p>\n

\u201cGiven the current uncertainty in Spain, there is insufficient time to properly execute an event of this scale,\u201d Relevent said in a statement. \u201cIt would also be irresponsible to begin selling tickets without a confirmed match in place.\u201d <\/p>\n

Serie A now has the inside track to host the first European league match abroad after receiving begrudging approval from UEFA (alongside La Liga) to stage a game between AC Milan and Como 1907 in Perth, Australia, in February. <\/p>\n

Read More >>><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"Adidas noted that for 2025 as a whole, operating profit \u201cshould rise to some\u201d $2.3B, up from the $1.5B it booked last year. Getty Images <\/p>\n

Adidas said that it expects a \u201csharper increase in earnings this year than previously expected after booking higher revenue and fatter profit margins in the most recent quarter.\u201d The company noted that for 2025 as a whole, operating profit \u201cshould rise to some\u201d $2.3B, up from the $1.5B it booked last year. Adidas had previously guided for operating profit to rise to $1.9B to $2B this year. Adidas said that sales for the full year \u201cshould increase by around 9% compared with 2024, even including Yeezy sales,\u201d specifying previous guidance for a \u201chigh-single-digit sales rise on year.\u201d Adidas\u2019s gross margin expanded 0.5 points to 51.8%, \u201cdespite the unfavorable effects of U.S. trade tariffs and currency developments.\u201d The operating margin \u201crose by nearly\u201d two points to 11.1% (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 10\/21<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\"PWHLPWHL Seattle and PWHL Vancouver officially unveiled their home and away jerseys. PWHL <\/p>\n

PWHL Seattle<\/a> and PWHL Vancouver<\/a> officially unveiled their home and away jerseys today, as the expansion clubs prepare for their inaugural campaigns. Each jersey features the city\u2019s name diagonally across the front. Seattle and Vancouver will officially reveal team identities — including team names and logos — prior to the season beginning, with those incorporated into uniforms for the 2026-27 season. Seattle\u2019s jerseys feature deep slate green and cream with a river blue accent, while Vancouver\u2019s designs feature pacific blue and cream with an earthy bronze accent. Canadian Tire, a PWHL founding partner, will have logo placement on the shoulder patches of Vancouver\u2019s jerseys, consistent with the other Canadian-based teams. Seattle and Vancouver will debut their jerseys on Nov. 21 at Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver when the teams face off to open the 2025-26 season (PWHL).<\/p>\n

\"\"UEFA has \u201cbecome the first sports governing body\u201d to join the world\u2019s largest anti-piracy coalition, the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment. GettyImages-863058212 <\/p>\n

UEFA has \u201cbecome the first sports governing body\u201d to join the world\u2019s largest anti-piracy coalition, the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment. The U.S.-based group is headed by the Motion Picture Association, which has been \u201cengaged in a decades-long fight against piracy, including the growing threat of illegal streaming of sports events.\u201d UEFA joins \u201ca cast of over 50 media companies\u201d — including Amazon, Apple TV, Netflix and Paramount. UEFA has previously been involved in anti-piracy operations. It also collaborated with Meta last year to \u201ccombat piracy\u201d on Facebook and Instagram. The move coincides with UEFA\u2019s latest media rights tender process for the men\u2019s 2027-33 cycle, which \u201cwent to market\u201d on Oct. 13 (THE ATHLETIC, 10\/21<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\"\"Warner Bros. Discovery is \u201cexploring a potential sale of all or some of its media holdings, setting into motion a deal process that could reshape the entertainment industry.\u201d Getty Images <\/p>\n

Warner Bros. Discovery is \u201cexploring a potential sale of all or some of its media holdings, setting into motion a deal process that could reshape the entertainment industry.\u201d Sources said that Paramount Skydance recently \u201cmade a second offer\u201d for the company. Sources noted that WBD has \u201creceived interest in its studio and streaming assets from multiple parties.\u201d WBD received a bid for the entire company<\/a> from Paramount last month, but \u201crebuffed it<\/a>.\u201d WBD has \u201cbeen in the process of splitting itself into two companies.\u201d One would include its \u201cmovie and TV production studios, HBO and its streaming business\u201d and the other would \u201chouse all of its cable channels.\u201d WBD planned to complete that split \u201cearly next year,\u201d but, after Paramount overtures, execs are \u201cexploring other options\u201d (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 10\/21<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Sources said that Paramount has also discussed acquiring WBD \u201cwith Apollo Global Management.\u201d The private equity company controls Legendary Entertainment, which \u201cowns a piece of several Warner Bros. franchises.\u201d Sources said that Netflix and Comcast also are \u201camong the companies interested in Warner Bros.\u2019 movie and TV studios.\u201d Sources noted that Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has \u201cexpressed interest in Warner Bros.\u2019 studio, its large content library and its film production lot.\u201d Netflix, though, \u201cisn\u2019t interested in owning TV networks.\u201d Comcast is also \u201ctaking a look but hasn\u2019t made a formal offer.\u201d Allen & Co, JP Morgan Chase & Co. and Evercore are \u201cserving as financial advisers\u201d to WBD (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 10\/21<\/a>).<\/p>\n

WBD exploring a sale could \u201cset off a bidding war for one of Hollywood\u2019s most iconic companies.\u201d A complete or partial sale of the company would \u201creshape the industry, shrinking the number of major companies and epitomizing Hollywood\u2019s relentless march toward consolidation.\u201d WBD execs expect the streaming business to be \u201cattractive to a variety of buyers, including tech companies like Netflix, Amazon and Apple\u201d (N.Y. TIMES, 10\/21<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Speed Reads….<\/p>\n

The NBA and WNBA has agreed to a deal naming Xfinity the leagues\u2019 official TV service provider. The agreement will add several new features to Xfinity platforms, including a personalized sports zone, Xfinity multiview, low lag streaming and the Xfinity stream app (Comcast Corporation).<\/p>\n

Sprouts Farmers Market has signed seven new female collegiate athletes to NIL deals: Lauren Betts, Sienna Betts, Melania Fullerton, Madi Hays, Teagan Kavan, Whitney Lauenstein and Tiffani Rae Pittman (Sprouts Farmers Market).<\/p>\n

Psycho Bunny has signed Canadiens D Lane Hutson to a sponsorship deal (Psycho Bunny).<\/p>\n

ESPN has reached multiyear extensions with NBA writers Ohm Youngmisuk, Tim MacMahon and Dave McMenamin (ESPN).<\/p>\n

Youth sports experiences company Unrivaled Sports has acquired Drew Brees\u2018s Football \u2018N\u2019 America youth flag football league (Unrivaled Sports).<\/p>\n

Making Team USA presented by Xfinity, a storytelling platform covering athletes\u2019 journeys in qualifying for the Olympics, is returning to showcase the efforts ahead of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics (U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee).<\/p>\n

FlixBus confirmed its network will connect every 2026 World Cup host city across the U.S., Canada and Mexico (Flix North America).<\/p>\n

The National Lacrosse League and the National Lacrosse League Players Association reached terms on a multiyear CBA that will extend through the 2029-30 season (National Lacrosse League).<\/p>\n

A Franklin County judge \u201cruled in favor\u201d of top 2027 WR prospect Jamier Brown \u201cgranting an order that temporarily halts a state prohibition on high school athletes from entering into NIL deals\u201d (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 10\/20<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Around the World….<\/p>\n

AXS has created AXS Tickets, a joint venture with Japanese ticketing company Lawson Entertainment (AXS).<\/p>\n

UK Athletics has \u201creported a surplus for the first time since 2017,\u201d two years after facing the threat of bankruptcy (BBC.com, 10\/21<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Social Scoop….<\/p>\n

“I can pretty well guarantee the SCORE Act ain’t going to make it through the United States Senate,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal said on a Zoom call just now. <\/p>\n

The NCAA and Power 4 conferences have been pushing for the SCORE Act’s passing. Blumenthal is a co-sponsor of SAFE Act.<\/p>\n

\u2014 John Talty (@JTalty) October 21, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

UPDATE: The NBA, I’m told, has decided that earpieces worn during live play by game officials will be phased in gradually during the regular season after preseason testing … but not starting with the Opening Night games on the Tuesday schedule. (1\/2) https:\/\/t.co\/hdC81NYHPC<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 21, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

.@PabloTorre<\/a> reports that Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor created a 77-item, Mean Girls-style “burn book” in a “baffling” effort to kill the franchise sale to Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore. pic.twitter.com\/7pu1MKwIv4<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Pablo Torre Finds Out (@pablofindsout) October 21, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

NFL executive Troy Vincent, here at the league meeting, says the Tush Push continues to be tough to officiate. \u201cAt the end of the day, there is a team that still does it well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom an officiating standpoint we\u2019re gonna try to get better when someone is in the neutral zone or\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 21, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Jets\u2019 owner Woody Johnson talks to the media about the state of the Jets. \u201cOur fans are the smartest fans in the league because they know what\u2019s going on\u201d. pic.twitter.com\/MWgJfvUTZR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) October 21, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Daily Download….<\/p>\n

Bud Light launched \u201cFight Night PTO: Paid Time at the Octagon,\u201d and with it, released its newest creative, \u201cCall Center,\u201d which reunites Bruce Buffer and Dustin Poirier as they cover a fan\u2019s shift in exchange for a case of Bud Light.<\/p>\n

Daily Digit….<\/p>\n

19 — The number of college conferences that have basketball games on CBS Sports platforms this coming season, totaling more than 300 regular-season games from across the Big 12, MWC, A-10, Patriot League, C-USA, MVC, MAC, WCC, SoCon, Southland, CAA, Summit League and others (CBS)<\/p>\n