Players Weigh in on ESPN, Turner NBA Deal
What You Need to Know:
Monday’s massive 9-year TV deal with the NBA, ESPN and Turner triples the amount of money the league currently receives for TV and digital rights. So who’s going to foot the bill? To be sure, operators will have to swallow some of the cost, and consumers’ bills will rise. But there’s another party involved: the players. LeBron James said the new deal will make it hard for owners to say they’re losing money (a la the last negotiation process). Kevin Durant also believes players have new leverage. Food for thought: Could another lockout be headed to the NBA?
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — LeBron James might not hold an official title within the National Basketball Players Association, but his standing as the league’s best player put him in an important position to speak about the new television rights deal.