1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,760 Speaker 1: This is the business of sports. Should Major League Baseball 2 00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:06,840 Speaker 1: shorten up the season? How do we present football to 3 00:00:06,920 --> 00:00:08,920 Speaker 1: the audience of the future. I don't think that most 4 00:00:08,920 --> 00:00:12,040 Speaker 1: players understand the power that they have. Michael. The future 5 00:00:12,080 --> 00:00:15,920 Speaker 1: of IndyCar racing is looking bright. Scott Sashnik very basic 6 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:18,959 Speaker 1: math here, more bidders means more money. Evan Nobody Williams. 7 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:22,079 Speaker 1: The team value has essentially quadruples. And the leaders in 8 00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:25,480 Speaker 1: the sports industry. Time to bring in our guest, Holstimbrunner, 9 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:29,320 Speaker 1: National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Betman, Atlanta Braves President Derek Schiller, 10 00:00:29,400 --> 00:00:34,559 Speaker 1: Patriots President Jonathan Kraft. Bloomberg Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio. Hello, 11 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:37,599 Speaker 1: I'm Michael barn I'm Evan Novie Williams, and I'm Scottshnik. 12 00:00:37,720 --> 00:00:40,320 Speaker 1: Every week at this time, plus Mondays and Wednesdays, we 13 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:42,560 Speaker 1: explore the big money issues in the world of sports. 14 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:45,839 Speaker 1: Today we hear from Mark Tadom, Deputy Commissioner of the 15 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:50,040 Speaker 1: National Basketball Association, as the Golden State Warriors take on 16 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:52,880 Speaker 1: to the Roundo Raptors and their search for a third 17 00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:55,760 Speaker 1: straight championship. In the beginning of the year, you want 18 00:00:56,160 --> 00:00:59,480 Speaker 1: every single one of your fans believing that your team 19 00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:02,880 Speaker 1: can win that year, and so for us, that's that's 20 00:01:02,920 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 1: in a sense what we strive for. And um and 21 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:07,240 Speaker 1: I'd say, you know, we still have some work to 22 00:01:07,280 --> 00:01:09,679 Speaker 1: do there. That's coming up in just a moment. But 23 00:01:09,760 --> 00:01:12,240 Speaker 1: first let's look at some of the top stories of 24 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:16,160 Speaker 1: the week. Beginning speaking of the Toronto Raptors, forward, Kawai 25 00:01:16,240 --> 00:01:20,080 Speaker 1: and Leonard's not saying it right. First of all, at 26 00:01:20,120 --> 00:01:23,639 Speaker 1: the correct year. If you come from we the North, 27 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:27,720 Speaker 1: the six, if you will, it's not you know this edmen, right, 28 00:01:28,520 --> 00:01:31,800 Speaker 1: it's not yes, but it's not Toronto. You don't say 29 00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:35,000 Speaker 1: the second tea. They'll look at you and say you 30 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:37,000 Speaker 1: you're not from here. Well, how would you pronounce it? 31 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:40,919 Speaker 1: It's Toronto, like two ends. You don't put the second 32 00:01:40,959 --> 00:01:44,880 Speaker 1: t Ask anybody it's Toronto. Now, this is some stuff 33 00:01:44,920 --> 00:01:50,520 Speaker 1: that they pull in Massachusetts, Orleans, New Orleans. It's Toronto. 34 00:01:51,320 --> 00:01:53,600 Speaker 1: And you know I spend a lot of my time 35 00:01:53,640 --> 00:02:03,480 Speaker 1: there and stuck in some hockey ring. It's Toronto anyway. Yeah, basketball, Well, 36 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:05,080 Speaker 1: now what's the deal with this? Why why is he 37 00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:07,880 Speaker 1: soing Nike? Because Kauai came up with his own logo. 38 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:10,840 Speaker 1: He literally traced his hand looks like a claw, you know. 39 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:15,320 Speaker 1: And Nike is using it and actually there they have it, 40 00:02:15,400 --> 00:02:18,400 Speaker 1: they're not really using it, and Kauai is not so 41 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:21,320 Speaker 1: happy about that. He thinks it's sort of a restraint 42 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:24,880 Speaker 1: of trade. And the l A Clippers have a role 43 00:02:24,919 --> 00:02:27,280 Speaker 1: in this too, and Steve Bomber everybody knows they would 44 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:29,760 Speaker 1: like to have Kawhi Leonard on their team. They would 45 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:33,840 Speaker 1: like to acquire the mark and then give it to 46 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:37,000 Speaker 1: Kauai as an inducement. They see how much like there. 47 00:02:37,040 --> 00:02:39,680 Speaker 1: They have found out how much this means to him, 48 00:02:39,720 --> 00:02:41,600 Speaker 1: and they're trying to unearth what can we do to 49 00:02:41,600 --> 00:02:43,959 Speaker 1: get Kawhi letter to come here. So they would like 50 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:46,800 Speaker 1: to acquire the mark and gifted to This feels like 51 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:50,640 Speaker 1: a good lesson for for young athletes, if you believe 52 00:02:50,720 --> 00:02:53,200 Speaker 1: kind of what Kauai lays out in the lawsuit. He 53 00:02:53,360 --> 00:02:57,240 Speaker 1: created this logo he'd later signed with Nike. They used 54 00:02:57,240 --> 00:03:01,600 Speaker 1: it together for Kauai apparel, and in that process Nike 55 00:03:01,680 --> 00:03:04,040 Speaker 1: trademarked it. So now that he's no longer with Nike, 56 00:03:04,120 --> 00:03:07,360 Speaker 1: he wants to use it again and Nike he's saying, no, listen, 57 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:10,200 Speaker 1: it's ours, um so if it is true that he 58 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:13,200 Speaker 1: built it, never trademarked it, never protected it, signed it 59 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:16,079 Speaker 1: away in some contract to Nike, and now can't get it. 60 00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:20,400 Speaker 1: That seems like a good lesson for trade market. Originally 61 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:22,800 Speaker 1: to the real quick how about the timing on this 62 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:26,639 Speaker 1: for in the middle of the NBA finals and is 63 00:03:26,680 --> 00:03:28,880 Speaker 1: suing the biggest sports work company in the how much 64 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:31,639 Speaker 1: it means? Very bizarre. On to our next topic, Green 65 00:03:31,760 --> 00:03:35,200 Speaker 1: Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers or down a Patrick's man, 66 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:40,080 Speaker 1: became the highest paid player in the NFL back in August, 67 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:42,280 Speaker 1: and now it looks like he's found a new way 68 00:03:42,320 --> 00:03:44,880 Speaker 1: to put that money to work. Well, I think this 69 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:48,200 Speaker 1: might be easier to go the other way. Which athlete 70 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:50,960 Speaker 1: had been is not part of a venture fund? Can 71 00:03:51,040 --> 00:03:54,440 Speaker 1: we find the athlete today that is not part of 72 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:56,720 Speaker 1: a venture fund? It's funny, I was, I feel like 73 00:03:56,760 --> 00:03:59,120 Speaker 1: there's not that many football players that are like well 74 00:03:59,160 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 1: known investors out there in tomin Con. Sue, sure, front 75 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:04,760 Speaker 1: of the program, but you're right, when when you just 76 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:07,440 Speaker 1: signed a four year, hundred thirty four million dollars, you 77 00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:10,520 Speaker 1: do something with that money. Yeah, so he is being, 78 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:15,400 Speaker 1: you know, part of a fund um managed by professionals, 79 00:04:15,160 --> 00:04:17,480 Speaker 1: of course, but he's got some smart man. Yeah, you 80 00:04:17,480 --> 00:04:20,560 Speaker 1: don't bring in some other athletes as well, Um, Danica, 81 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:22,920 Speaker 1: I believe one of them, Danica Patti is alight. I believe, 82 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:26,719 Speaker 1: I believed is in the fund as well. Um. Looking 83 00:04:26,760 --> 00:04:31,520 Speaker 1: at like consumer products, so big name athletes consumer products, 84 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:38,039 Speaker 1: there's obviously synergies there, million dollars up front. They've already 85 00:04:38,040 --> 00:04:40,160 Speaker 1: made a few investments, one of them a rowing machine 86 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:44,640 Speaker 1: company Hydro, the helmet maker Visus, which I believe just 87 00:04:44,720 --> 00:04:48,479 Speaker 1: recently got the highest rating, the highest protection rating UM 88 00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:52,280 Speaker 1: for for NFL and and and youth helmets. Um. Yeah, 89 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:54,680 Speaker 1: I'm sure there'll be they'll be more here. But as 90 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:57,240 Speaker 1: you said, Scott, this is a this is the playbook 91 00:04:57,279 --> 00:05:00,480 Speaker 1: for for wealthy athletes. Right, find a smart investor, use 92 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:02,279 Speaker 1: your name, use some of your money, use some of 93 00:05:02,320 --> 00:05:05,200 Speaker 1: their money in places they couldn't go, absolutely, and we'll 94 00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:07,600 Speaker 1: see where it goes. Staying in the NFL. Now, let's 95 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:13,720 Speaker 1: talk about the Buffalo Bills. Pook. This is the one 96 00:05:13,760 --> 00:05:16,080 Speaker 1: that brings me up. Saying that the team is like, look, 97 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:18,760 Speaker 1: y'all need a new stadium. Now the commissioner is saying, 98 00:05:19,279 --> 00:05:21,680 Speaker 1: y'all need a new home. Well, this is this is 99 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:24,719 Speaker 1: what the playbook says. The team floats the idea, then 100 00:05:24,880 --> 00:05:27,120 Speaker 1: the league. Nobody has come out and said the Buffalo 101 00:05:27,160 --> 00:05:29,839 Speaker 1: Bills are leaving the area if they don't get a stadium. 102 00:05:30,040 --> 00:05:33,680 Speaker 1: And I will say elipse dot dot dot. Yet they 103 00:05:33,680 --> 00:05:38,000 Speaker 1: haven't heard that. But this is the playbook, the pro 104 00:05:38,120 --> 00:05:42,080 Speaker 1: sports playbook. How much of a new stadium, renovate whatever 105 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:45,039 Speaker 1: you want to say, how much will taxpayers fork? Over 106 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:48,440 Speaker 1: Look at seven fifty million dollars in Las Vegas if 107 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 1: you need to know why, the why behind the Raiders 108 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:56,280 Speaker 1: moved to Las Vegas. Seven hundred and fifty million public dollars, 109 00:05:56,320 --> 00:05:59,880 Speaker 1: the largest subsidy in the history of pro sports. That's 110 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:02,240 Speaker 1: why they were there. I mean, now you gotta see 111 00:06:02,240 --> 00:06:03,919 Speaker 1: what what do The folks in Buffalo wanted you to 112 00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:06,279 Speaker 1: keep that? But Bills fans have always been loyal to 113 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:11,919 Speaker 1: the Oar doesn't matter, always loyal to bar Here we 114 00:06:11,960 --> 00:06:16,760 Speaker 1: go again. We know it doesn't matter. We're Rams fans loyal, Yes, 115 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:22,560 Speaker 1: it doesn't matter. The Raiders fans were loyal to Chargers 116 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:25,240 Speaker 1: fans were loyal. Pitchers fans were loyal to keep I mean, 117 00:06:25,360 --> 00:06:28,120 Speaker 1: keep it moving. It doesn't matter where's the money coming from. 118 00:06:28,160 --> 00:06:31,479 Speaker 1: That's all. Now let's get to this week's interview with 119 00:06:31,520 --> 00:06:35,479 Speaker 1: Mark Tatum, Deputy Commissioner of the National Basketball Association. He, 120 00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:38,719 Speaker 1: of course, is responsible for the league's business operations, including 121 00:06:38,760 --> 00:06:42,320 Speaker 1: all the international efforts and those are many overseas, the 122 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:46,479 Speaker 1: global partnerships, marketing, communications, and team marketing for the NBA. Mark, 123 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:49,200 Speaker 1: thanks for joining us in studio today. Thank you, Scott. 124 00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:51,200 Speaker 1: Great to see it is. It's been a while. How 125 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:54,159 Speaker 1: long we known each other now, probably at least a 126 00:06:54,320 --> 00:06:57,280 Speaker 1: dozen years sorted in basketball terms? Who are the good 127 00:06:57,320 --> 00:07:02,120 Speaker 1: team that to layers the Kobe days. I mean, I 128 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:06,040 Speaker 1: used to spend my May in June almost every year 129 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:08,280 Speaker 1: in l A. It became my home away from home. 130 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:11,760 Speaker 1: And now Golden States sort of taken that dominant role 131 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:14,840 Speaker 1: that we can kind of guarantee they're going to be there. 132 00:07:14,840 --> 00:07:19,000 Speaker 1: Parody good or bad. I think for the NBA, oh, 133 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:21,320 Speaker 1: I think parody is great. I think that's what ultimately 134 00:07:21,360 --> 00:07:23,920 Speaker 1: what we strive for, right is in the beginning of 135 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:27,240 Speaker 1: the year, you want every single one of your fans 136 00:07:27,320 --> 00:07:30,520 Speaker 1: believing that your team can win that year. And so 137 00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:33,440 Speaker 1: for us, that's that's in a sense what we strive 138 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:35,960 Speaker 1: for and um, and I'd say, you know, we still 139 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:37,560 Speaker 1: have some work to do there. I mean, six out 140 00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:41,560 Speaker 1: of the last ten champions NBA champions have been different 141 00:07:41,640 --> 00:07:44,360 Speaker 1: champions and so yes, the Golden State Wars have had 142 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:47,040 Speaker 1: a have had an incredible run, and I think that's 143 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:50,400 Speaker 1: a run that should be celebrated for their excellence and 144 00:07:50,840 --> 00:07:54,120 Speaker 1: what they're doing it. It really is historical, right, only 145 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:57,119 Speaker 1: two other teams. They're trying to win their third NBA 146 00:07:57,200 --> 00:07:59,520 Speaker 1: Championship in a row. Only two other teams have done 147 00:07:59,560 --> 00:08:02,160 Speaker 1: that in the last fifty years. And so they are 148 00:08:02,240 --> 00:08:05,960 Speaker 1: on the They're at least trying to accomplish something that's 149 00:08:06,080 --> 00:08:08,400 Speaker 1: very rare in sports. Well, they change hearts and minds, 150 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:10,680 Speaker 1: which to me is always the hardest thing to accomplish, 151 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:12,920 Speaker 1: especially in place like New York where there's such an 152 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:15,240 Speaker 1: affinity for the home team. But if you walk around 153 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:18,080 Speaker 1: any playground and this is not a shot at the Knicks, 154 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 1: I don't see Nicks jerseys. I see lebron jerseys and 155 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 1: I see Steph Curry jerseys. That's it. They have really 156 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:28,160 Speaker 1: penetrated the hearts and minds. Yes, without a doubt, I 157 00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:31,600 Speaker 1: think a big part of that too. That's really uh 158 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:35,679 Speaker 1: an interesting phenomenon is technology and because our games now 159 00:08:35,679 --> 00:08:40,600 Speaker 1: are so readily available to everyone around the world. Quite frankly, um, 160 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:43,680 Speaker 1: you know Team Pete players and I'm sorry, fans have 161 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:48,200 Speaker 1: become fans of different players of different teams, and so, 162 00:08:48,640 --> 00:08:51,880 Speaker 1: you know, just even though you're in New York, I'm 163 00:08:51,920 --> 00:08:55,320 Speaker 1: sure there's and I know there's lots of fans who 164 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:58,079 Speaker 1: love the Knicks here in New York obviously, but they 165 00:08:58,160 --> 00:09:00,760 Speaker 1: also get the opportunity to follow different teams and followed 166 00:09:00,760 --> 00:09:03,079 Speaker 1: different places. One of David Stern's favorite stories, and I'm 167 00:09:03,080 --> 00:09:04,920 Speaker 1: sure you've heard it when he was in Timpo, Bhutan 168 00:09:05,520 --> 00:09:07,719 Speaker 1: at the Internet cafe looking at the kid and he's 169 00:09:07,720 --> 00:09:10,560 Speaker 1: watching the Kobe Bryant pitge. You've been all over the 170 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:13,160 Speaker 1: world with this game. Give me your story where you 171 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:16,680 Speaker 1: were really resonated with you that this is basketball without borders, 172 00:09:16,920 --> 00:09:19,640 Speaker 1: without a doubt. So I was recently in Vietnam in 173 00:09:19,760 --> 00:09:23,040 Speaker 1: May um and I was walking around and again even there, 174 00:09:23,080 --> 00:09:26,199 Speaker 1: you see Golden State Warriors jerseys. You see lake to 175 00:09:26,200 --> 00:09:30,480 Speaker 1: see if the knockoffs. I didn't, I didn't check, but 176 00:09:30,559 --> 00:09:33,240 Speaker 1: they were wearing them. They're wearing them and I've been um. 177 00:09:33,280 --> 00:09:35,400 Speaker 1: I was in the Ivory Coast just a couple of 178 00:09:35,400 --> 00:09:38,560 Speaker 1: weeks ago for some FEBA meetings, and you see jerseys 179 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:41,480 Speaker 1: and you see people walking around with apparel and merchandise 180 00:09:41,559 --> 00:09:43,959 Speaker 1: there too, So there isn't um, you know. I was 181 00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:47,240 Speaker 1: recently actually took a vacation to the Maldives and I'm 182 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:51,560 Speaker 1: talking to a Greek um worker there who And I 183 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:53,560 Speaker 1: just said to him, I said, And he didn't know 184 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:55,679 Speaker 1: who I was. I said, Uh, do you ever hear 185 00:09:55,760 --> 00:09:59,199 Speaker 1: of Janice? He goes. Of course, all of Greece, all 186 00:09:59,200 --> 00:10:01,240 Speaker 1: of all of the world has heard of Janna's And 187 00:10:01,280 --> 00:10:04,160 Speaker 1: so even though this little island in Maldives, you know, 188 00:10:04,240 --> 00:10:06,400 Speaker 1: you you find people who are passionate about this game, 189 00:10:06,440 --> 00:10:08,520 Speaker 1: which is such an incredible because I'm watching it on 190 00:10:08,520 --> 00:10:12,000 Speaker 1: my Apple phone. What are you kidding me? Exactly? Does it? 191 00:10:12,120 --> 00:10:14,000 Speaker 1: Does it change the way you reach out to fans 192 00:10:14,040 --> 00:10:16,719 Speaker 1: now that you know the regionality maybe a little bit 193 00:10:16,760 --> 00:10:18,960 Speaker 1: softer than it maybe it was fifteen years ago when 194 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:20,720 Speaker 1: you know, you grew up and you rooted not for 195 00:10:20,760 --> 00:10:22,880 Speaker 1: a single player but the team that you was in 196 00:10:22,920 --> 00:10:25,600 Speaker 1: your home market. Oh absolutely, I mean, are these finals 197 00:10:25,640 --> 00:10:29,280 Speaker 1: will be broadcast in two fifteen different countries and territories 198 00:10:29,320 --> 00:10:33,400 Speaker 1: and fifty different languages. UM. We have so many international 199 00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:37,040 Speaker 1: broadcasters who have actually flown in and are who are 200 00:10:37,080 --> 00:10:41,520 Speaker 1: calling the games in their native language from the arenas, UM, 201 00:10:41,559 --> 00:10:44,280 Speaker 1: including I think six new countries this year that have 202 00:10:44,440 --> 00:10:47,800 Speaker 1: never done that before. And so we continue to uh 203 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:51,360 Speaker 1: customize the game this year. For the first year, this 204 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:56,079 Speaker 1: past season, we actually had games broadcasts in Hindi in India, UM, 205 00:10:56,080 --> 00:10:58,079 Speaker 1: and that opened up the market as well for the 206 00:10:58,679 --> 00:11:02,079 Speaker 1: Indian market of people that don't speak English that speak Hindi. 207 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:05,400 Speaker 1: So we're always trying to present the game with that 208 00:11:05,520 --> 00:11:08,839 Speaker 1: local flavor in in a way that local fans can 209 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:13,959 Speaker 1: consume it easily. I know that you want packed arenas. 210 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:18,440 Speaker 1: I get it, But the business model has changed. And 211 00:11:18,559 --> 00:11:21,520 Speaker 1: I talk about scale on this program all the time. 212 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:25,040 Speaker 1: That there's a certain number of arenas, certain number of dates, 213 00:11:25,280 --> 00:11:28,160 Speaker 1: certain number of seats, that's a finite number. That's it. 214 00:11:28,920 --> 00:11:33,200 Speaker 1: The real money opportunity is in the flat world. Tell 215 00:11:33,280 --> 00:11:37,360 Speaker 1: me how the NBA plans to capitalize on that flat 216 00:11:37,440 --> 00:11:42,640 Speaker 1: world and a world where anybody can watch anything, see 217 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:46,080 Speaker 1: anything on their phone, on their tablet. You name it. Yeah, UM, 218 00:11:46,120 --> 00:11:48,040 Speaker 1: it's a great point. I mean, we still to your point, 219 00:11:48,040 --> 00:11:49,839 Speaker 1: we still have room in arenas. We're not in a 220 00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:53,400 Speaker 1: hundred percent sold out in every single building for every 221 00:11:53,400 --> 00:11:56,360 Speaker 1: single game, So there's definitely opportunity there. But the real 222 00:11:56,400 --> 00:11:59,360 Speaker 1: opportunities you said is to make sure that we're getting 223 00:11:59,360 --> 00:12:02,680 Speaker 1: our game tames consumed and and and the reality is 224 00:12:02,760 --> 00:12:06,760 Speaker 1: a very small percentage of people and of our fans 225 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:10,040 Speaker 1: actually end up ever watching a game in an arena 226 00:12:11,640 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 1: that's anywhere near the exactly. I mean, think about the 227 00:12:14,440 --> 00:12:18,440 Speaker 1: three million people who play basketball in China, A very 228 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:20,640 Speaker 1: few of them will ever get to an NBA arena. 229 00:12:20,720 --> 00:12:23,960 Speaker 1: So we have to continue to be creative and how 230 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:27,520 Speaker 1: we're presenting the game to them and how we're making 231 00:12:27,559 --> 00:12:30,280 Speaker 1: it available to them. Um. And that's one of the 232 00:12:30,280 --> 00:12:33,360 Speaker 1: things now that we're very much thinking about, you know, 233 00:12:33,480 --> 00:12:37,480 Speaker 1: and and looking at, um, how do we create a product, 234 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:40,800 Speaker 1: whether it's live game or not, that we can get 235 00:12:40,840 --> 00:12:43,040 Speaker 1: in the hands of as mini fans as possible. And 236 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:45,120 Speaker 1: I think that will that's one of the things that 237 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:48,080 Speaker 1: we're focused on. We're focused on improving that experience, whether 238 00:12:48,080 --> 00:12:50,600 Speaker 1: it's through our league past product. Um. You know, we 239 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:54,840 Speaker 1: implemented this whole uh different viewing experience called mobile view, 240 00:12:55,480 --> 00:12:58,439 Speaker 1: and the mobile view gives you because of a recognition 241 00:12:58,520 --> 00:13:01,280 Speaker 1: that more and more people are watching games on their 242 00:13:01,480 --> 00:13:04,480 Speaker 1: mobile device, it gives you a different camera angle than 243 00:13:04,520 --> 00:13:08,280 Speaker 1: your traditional camera angle, which will hopefully improve the experience 244 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:10,319 Speaker 1: for you, which will make you more likely to want 245 00:13:10,320 --> 00:13:13,200 Speaker 1: to watch games on your mobile device. Um we are 246 00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:16,880 Speaker 1: doing all kinds of experiments now with watching portions of games, 247 00:13:17,080 --> 00:13:20,920 Speaker 1: or buying a one game, or buying following your team, 248 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:23,600 Speaker 1: and different kinds of packages. So it's really about keeping 249 00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:27,280 Speaker 1: the fan in mind and what they're looking for and 250 00:13:27,320 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 1: how they're consuming content, and then really trying to customize 251 00:13:30,280 --> 00:13:32,520 Speaker 1: our product to them. We are chatting with Mark Tatum, 252 00:13:32,559 --> 00:13:36,000 Speaker 1: Deputy Commissioner of the National Basketball Association, and you've been there, 253 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:41,760 Speaker 1: what about twenty years before that? You chuckle that nowadays 254 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:45,079 Speaker 1: the buzzword is O T T Direct to consumer O 255 00:13:45,320 --> 00:13:49,600 Speaker 1: T T, like, oh, this is new fandangoes. Leak pass 256 00:13:49,720 --> 00:13:52,960 Speaker 1: was O T T. Absolutely When when did League Pass start, 257 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:55,760 Speaker 1: Lead Past start? I can't remember the exact year, but 258 00:13:55,760 --> 00:13:58,840 Speaker 1: we've been doing lead Pass for you know, a decade 259 00:13:58,960 --> 00:14:00,920 Speaker 1: or so. I mean it's so so yes, we have 260 00:14:01,040 --> 00:14:04,880 Speaker 1: been delivering um our product direct to consumer, and now 261 00:14:04,880 --> 00:14:07,240 Speaker 1: there are things that we can do, I think to 262 00:14:07,360 --> 00:14:09,840 Speaker 1: enhance that product and to change it. It's priced at 263 00:14:09,840 --> 00:14:13,320 Speaker 1: a premium today, but like I said, we're starting to experiment. Now, 264 00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:18,280 Speaker 1: there's still the restrictions in terms of out of market restrictions, UM, 265 00:14:18,320 --> 00:14:20,760 Speaker 1: but it's approach, it's a it's a product that we're 266 00:14:20,800 --> 00:14:25,000 Speaker 1: seeing growing UM double digits international year over year over year, 267 00:14:25,320 --> 00:14:27,359 Speaker 1: and the same thing here in the US. The recognition 268 00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:30,400 Speaker 1: that the final five minutes of a basketball game maybe 269 00:14:30,520 --> 00:14:33,640 Speaker 1: I don't want to say more desirable, but they may 270 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:36,960 Speaker 1: be of interest to many of your Well, I think 271 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:39,640 Speaker 1: there's an opportunity when there's close games, right, you get 272 00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:42,320 Speaker 1: alert now, UM, if you have lead Pass, you get 273 00:14:42,360 --> 00:14:45,200 Speaker 1: alert that says, hey there's this one's going down to 274 00:14:45,240 --> 00:14:50,320 Speaker 1: the wire. Tune in now. And we're competing for people's attention. 275 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:53,400 Speaker 1: There's so much out there, so many other options that 276 00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:55,720 Speaker 1: people can have. So we need to continue to find 277 00:14:55,760 --> 00:14:59,000 Speaker 1: ways to make sure that people UM get engaged with 278 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:02,360 Speaker 1: our product and and I think lead Pass makes it 279 00:15:02,400 --> 00:15:04,600 Speaker 1: available to everybody that wants it. But there are things 280 00:15:04,640 --> 00:15:06,960 Speaker 1: that we will continue to do and have been doing 281 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:09,160 Speaker 1: to get people to know about it and then they 282 00:15:09,160 --> 00:15:11,440 Speaker 1: can go and consume that game. You mentioned the micro 283 00:15:11,640 --> 00:15:15,360 Speaker 1: transactions selling the fourth quarter of the second half. You 284 00:15:15,360 --> 00:15:17,640 Speaker 1: guys are kind of blazing new ground for for US 285 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:20,360 Speaker 1: sports leagues, at least in that world. Tell us some 286 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:23,560 Speaker 1: of the things you've learned about NBA fans now that 287 00:15:23,560 --> 00:15:26,040 Speaker 1: that is an option, Anything that surprised you about their 288 00:15:26,040 --> 00:15:29,160 Speaker 1: buying patterns or the thirst for for smaller than a 289 00:15:29,200 --> 00:15:32,000 Speaker 1: single game packages. Yeah, it's I'll tell you, it's been 290 00:15:32,080 --> 00:15:36,520 Speaker 1: interesting to see because it has done well. Um but 291 00:15:36,520 --> 00:15:39,040 Speaker 1: but there are more people scott than you would than 292 00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:41,800 Speaker 1: you would think that actually want to consume the whole 293 00:15:41,880 --> 00:15:47,680 Speaker 1: game and they don't have kids. That's probably true. That's 294 00:15:47,680 --> 00:15:50,440 Speaker 1: probably true. I think I think it's you know, for us, 295 00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:53,520 Speaker 1: it's incumbent on us to market that product, to let 296 00:15:53,560 --> 00:15:55,640 Speaker 1: people know that it is available, to let people know 297 00:15:55,720 --> 00:15:58,280 Speaker 1: when um and and and you know, people want to 298 00:15:58,320 --> 00:16:01,320 Speaker 1: be in a way kind of lead to the great 299 00:16:01,360 --> 00:16:04,240 Speaker 1: stories and the and the great matchups and the great games, 300 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:06,920 Speaker 1: and so we as leagues I think, have to be 301 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 1: able to have to be very good at telling those stories. Again, 302 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:13,800 Speaker 1: big part because there's so much competition out there in 303 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:17,280 Speaker 1: for for people's share of mind, and we need to 304 00:16:17,320 --> 00:16:20,080 Speaker 1: continue to be able to be innovative and how we 305 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:22,280 Speaker 1: present that product and how we tell those stories, and 306 00:16:22,280 --> 00:16:24,280 Speaker 1: how do your how do the kind of the linear 307 00:16:24,320 --> 00:16:26,600 Speaker 1: TV partners that you have, how do they kind of 308 00:16:26,640 --> 00:16:29,960 Speaker 1: react to the micro segmentation. I mean, I'm thinking that, 309 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:32,280 Speaker 1: you know, five years ago, if Dame Lillard was going 310 00:16:32,280 --> 00:16:34,440 Speaker 1: off from the fourth quarter and I wanted to watch it, 311 00:16:34,640 --> 00:16:36,560 Speaker 1: I kind of had to get to a TV if 312 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:39,600 Speaker 1: I wasn't you know, a league past season long member. 313 00:16:40,040 --> 00:16:42,080 Speaker 1: Right now, you know, I can get the end of 314 00:16:42,080 --> 00:16:44,240 Speaker 1: that game for a couple of bucks, right, It kind 315 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:47,240 Speaker 1: of changes obviously changes the options, but it also might 316 00:16:47,280 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 1: change the motivation for getting to a TV. Turner and 317 00:16:50,360 --> 00:16:53,400 Speaker 1: you know ESPN kind of react to the increased you know, 318 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:56,120 Speaker 1: dicing up of those games. Sure. So so it's interesting 319 00:16:56,200 --> 00:16:59,360 Speaker 1: turners are partner obviously on NBA Digital, so they actually 320 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:02,880 Speaker 1: have a vested interest in UM and and for them 321 00:17:02,880 --> 00:17:04,919 Speaker 1: it's almost it's almost neutral, right because there are a 322 00:17:04,920 --> 00:17:07,840 Speaker 1: partner in NBA Digital which produces lead pass and so 323 00:17:08,520 --> 00:17:11,400 Speaker 1: UM there they in that respect, they want the same 324 00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:13,360 Speaker 1: thing that we want, which is to get the most 325 00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:17,119 Speaker 1: number of fans engaging with the product, whether that's on 326 00:17:17,160 --> 00:17:20,320 Speaker 1: the digital platform or on their platform. UM I will 327 00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:24,760 Speaker 1: say that they have come around to understanding that those 328 00:17:24,880 --> 00:17:28,919 Speaker 1: kinds of promotional opportunities and getting those fans engage and 329 00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:32,359 Speaker 1: watching our product will lead them more likely to follow 330 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:35,240 Speaker 1: the NBA and to watch games on TV. Now, there's 331 00:17:35,240 --> 00:17:39,119 Speaker 1: a whole class of fans out there who are either 332 00:17:39,560 --> 00:17:43,040 Speaker 1: cutting their cord or who are UM who have never 333 00:17:43,400 --> 00:17:48,879 Speaker 1: subscribed to a you know, a cable network or satellite 334 00:17:48,920 --> 00:17:52,520 Speaker 1: provider UM, and so there's a recognition by our partners 335 00:17:52,560 --> 00:17:55,080 Speaker 1: that there has to be some way to continue to 336 00:17:55,119 --> 00:17:58,600 Speaker 1: engage those folks. And you know, we obviously have partnerships 337 00:17:58,640 --> 00:18:02,920 Speaker 1: digital partnerships with UM, the A, T and T uh now, 338 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:05,679 Speaker 1: the Warner Media and as well as a Disney corporation 339 00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:08,040 Speaker 1: to make sure that the games that they have they're 340 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:11,640 Speaker 1: also delivering UM two consumers digitally as well. We're also 341 00:18:11,760 --> 00:18:16,879 Speaker 1: changing the broadcast itself to those people you're experimenting with 342 00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:21,119 Speaker 1: different hosts. Can you deliver Obviously I know the answer 343 00:18:21,160 --> 00:18:24,200 Speaker 1: because you're doing this, but does that one size fits 344 00:18:24,240 --> 00:18:27,680 Speaker 1: all work anymore? Or do you have to give this 345 00:18:27,800 --> 00:18:32,240 Speaker 1: segmented audience specifically what they're more inclined to want. I 346 00:18:32,240 --> 00:18:35,760 Speaker 1: think to be most effective, you have to segment right. 347 00:18:35,880 --> 00:18:38,119 Speaker 1: And it gets back to this theme that we've been 348 00:18:38,160 --> 00:18:41,320 Speaker 1: talking about, where it is so competitive that you can't 349 00:18:41,720 --> 00:18:44,200 Speaker 1: treat every customer the same way. I think one of 350 00:18:44,200 --> 00:18:46,920 Speaker 1: the areas that we're making significant investments in is our 351 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:51,600 Speaker 1: consumer data strategy and really trying to understand who are 352 00:18:51,640 --> 00:18:55,440 Speaker 1: core customers are because they're different. And there are customers 353 00:18:55,480 --> 00:19:00,320 Speaker 1: who um have engage with the NBA because they're kids, 354 00:19:00,720 --> 00:19:03,160 Speaker 1: are fans of the NBA and that's what got them involved. 355 00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:05,000 Speaker 1: There are some who grew up playing the game and 356 00:19:05,040 --> 00:19:07,919 Speaker 1: always loving the game, and so um they want different 357 00:19:07,920 --> 00:19:09,879 Speaker 1: things from us, and it's incoming upon us. And I 358 00:19:09,920 --> 00:19:13,840 Speaker 1: think the future of how we market to how we 359 00:19:13,880 --> 00:19:16,960 Speaker 1: market our sport is to really be one to one 360 00:19:17,160 --> 00:19:21,760 Speaker 1: customize delivering content on the platform, the kinds of content, 361 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:24,439 Speaker 1: whether it's on a player on a team that that 362 00:19:24,520 --> 00:19:27,920 Speaker 1: specific fan wants. We're not there yet, but I think 363 00:19:28,080 --> 00:19:31,080 Speaker 1: that's ultimately where we and everyone else is going to 364 00:19:31,160 --> 00:19:33,640 Speaker 1: have to get chatting with Mark Tayden, the Deputy commission 365 00:19:33,720 --> 00:19:35,399 Speaker 1: or the n b A. Could you just give me 366 00:19:35,400 --> 00:19:37,840 Speaker 1: a little bit more on that. Who's helping you do that, 367 00:19:38,520 --> 00:19:42,720 Speaker 1: what are you unearthing and the long play? Do you 368 00:19:42,800 --> 00:19:47,720 Speaker 1: see that all the information you're getting creating a better 369 00:19:47,880 --> 00:19:51,760 Speaker 1: value play to advertisers who look to associate with the league. 370 00:19:51,800 --> 00:19:54,399 Speaker 1: There's no doubt we're getting all kinds of information from 371 00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:58,080 Speaker 1: our fans and and you know, we know for example, um, 372 00:19:58,119 --> 00:20:01,960 Speaker 1: if a fan is more likely to UM an NBA fan, 373 00:20:02,560 --> 00:20:06,119 Speaker 1: how they're perceiving a different partner. So uh, you know, 374 00:20:06,240 --> 00:20:08,280 Speaker 1: if if a fan is in the market for buying 375 00:20:08,400 --> 00:20:13,439 Speaker 1: a vehicle in the next uh twelve months, um, we 376 00:20:13,440 --> 00:20:16,560 Speaker 1: we can capture that information, share it with Kia and say, hey, 377 00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:21,119 Speaker 1: here's your opportunity. This person is a Chicago Bulls fan. Um, 378 00:20:21,160 --> 00:20:24,080 Speaker 1: there located in Chicago and they're interested in the market 379 00:20:24,760 --> 00:20:27,320 Speaker 1: for buying a new car in the next twelve months. 380 00:20:27,359 --> 00:20:30,040 Speaker 1: Why don't you serve them up some Chicago Bulls um 381 00:20:30,160 --> 00:20:34,080 Speaker 1: themed advertising around Kia and the special offers. So so 382 00:20:34,280 --> 00:20:36,400 Speaker 1: we can do that kind of stuff you've seen any 383 00:20:36,480 --> 00:20:38,480 Speaker 1: r O I have you heard back from advertiser saying hey, 384 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:41,359 Speaker 1: thanks that work. Absolutely. Our partners are you know what 385 00:20:41,720 --> 00:20:44,439 Speaker 1: one of the reasons that our partners are so um 386 00:20:44,720 --> 00:20:47,560 Speaker 1: uh why they partner with us Quite frankly is because 387 00:20:47,680 --> 00:20:51,440 Speaker 1: we can deliver this audience of engage fans, and we're 388 00:20:51,480 --> 00:20:54,400 Speaker 1: starting now to collect more and more information on those 389 00:20:54,440 --> 00:20:57,360 Speaker 1: fans and their likes and their habits. UM, and we're 390 00:20:57,400 --> 00:21:01,040 Speaker 1: partnered with our with these marketing part is now to 391 00:21:01,119 --> 00:21:04,600 Speaker 1: be able to tell stories around that. We're in the 392 00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:07,120 Speaker 1: middle of the NBA Finals looking for some headline fodder here. 393 00:21:07,200 --> 00:21:09,560 Speaker 1: Drake has caused a little bit of a stir on 394 00:21:09,600 --> 00:21:13,040 Speaker 1: the on the sideline for the trade actors, a representative 395 00:21:13,080 --> 00:21:15,880 Speaker 1: of the team. You know, he's interacted with players, coaches, 396 00:21:15,880 --> 00:21:19,040 Speaker 1: et cetera. Is there an official NBA position on on 397 00:21:19,240 --> 00:21:21,080 Speaker 1: Drake right now? Is he has he gone too far? 398 00:21:21,240 --> 00:21:23,040 Speaker 1: Is it? Is it fine where he is right now? Look, 399 00:21:23,359 --> 00:21:26,080 Speaker 1: Drake is a super fan. Um. The commissioner said this 400 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:29,840 Speaker 1: the other day. He he it's wonderful to have fans 401 00:21:29,880 --> 00:21:32,800 Speaker 1: as passionate as him. UM. And the fact that he 402 00:21:32,960 --> 00:21:37,320 Speaker 1: is a global, worldwide celebrity, UM that that that's a 403 00:21:37,359 --> 00:21:40,480 Speaker 1: good thing. I think. Uh. He understands that there are 404 00:21:40,720 --> 00:21:44,760 Speaker 1: certain lines that can't be crossed, including UM contacting and 405 00:21:45,160 --> 00:21:48,840 Speaker 1: interacting with whether it be a coach or players on 406 00:21:48,960 --> 00:21:52,520 Speaker 1: the sideline. But he gets that and he completely understands 407 00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:54,840 Speaker 1: that and that you know, I think you know, even 408 00:21:54,840 --> 00:21:57,360 Speaker 1: in the last couple of games, um, there have been 409 00:21:57,359 --> 00:22:00,240 Speaker 1: no issues with Drake, so he it's wonderful to see 410 00:22:00,800 --> 00:22:04,640 Speaker 1: his passion for his his his team, his Toronto Raptors. 411 00:22:04,800 --> 00:22:07,280 Speaker 1: One other thing I've noticed in Toronto. You know, there's 412 00:22:07,280 --> 00:22:09,639 Speaker 1: obviously so many questions about Kawhi Leonard and what his 413 00:22:09,720 --> 00:22:12,120 Speaker 1: future is like. UM And there have been a number 414 00:22:12,160 --> 00:22:16,160 Speaker 1: of Toronto businesses that have dangled potentially you know, things 415 00:22:16,200 --> 00:22:22,160 Speaker 1: that are intangible value inducement, penthouse, you know, unlimited food 416 00:22:22,160 --> 00:22:25,560 Speaker 1: at specific restaurants, etcetera, certainly done kind of tongue in 417 00:22:25,600 --> 00:22:27,680 Speaker 1: cheek trying to show him that, you know, the city 418 00:22:27,720 --> 00:22:30,399 Speaker 1: loves him. Is that okay? Under the c b A 419 00:22:30,560 --> 00:22:32,560 Speaker 1: is that is that kind of some kind of circumvention 420 00:22:32,680 --> 00:22:36,119 Speaker 1: of you know, salary cap rules. By the way we 421 00:22:36,119 --> 00:22:38,040 Speaker 1: were talking about, I said, as long as the team's 422 00:22:38,080 --> 00:22:41,840 Speaker 1: not involved, teams not involved, I'm guessing the NBA is okay, 423 00:22:41,840 --> 00:22:44,200 Speaker 1: if some developer wants to give Kawhi Leonard a penthouse, 424 00:22:44,440 --> 00:22:48,320 Speaker 1: is that is that true? Can our circumvention rules go 425 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:52,040 Speaker 1: to teams? Right? Teams can't engage in certain activities that 426 00:22:52,119 --> 00:22:54,960 Speaker 1: will circumvent the salary cap. There is a there is 427 00:22:55,119 --> 00:22:57,920 Speaker 1: a there a set of rules that are collectively bargained 428 00:22:57,920 --> 00:23:01,080 Speaker 1: that um dictate and determine what, how, how our players 429 00:23:01,080 --> 00:23:03,520 Speaker 1: can come, how our teams can compensate our players, and 430 00:23:03,560 --> 00:23:06,320 Speaker 1: so um. You know, as long as the team is 431 00:23:06,359 --> 00:23:09,000 Speaker 1: not involved in those different activities. I mean, there's nothing 432 00:23:09,040 --> 00:23:14,000 Speaker 1: stopping you know, developers in in any city offering any player, um, 433 00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:16,280 Speaker 1: those kinds of inducements, as long as they're not tied 434 00:23:16,320 --> 00:23:18,959 Speaker 1: to our teams. But what I will say is, you know, 435 00:23:19,520 --> 00:23:21,199 Speaker 1: in those kinds of things, I don't. I have no 436 00:23:21,280 --> 00:23:24,760 Speaker 1: idea where Kauai's head is, um on where he wants 437 00:23:24,800 --> 00:23:28,320 Speaker 1: to play next year, But for him to understand how 438 00:23:28,400 --> 00:23:31,960 Speaker 1: much that city loves him and has embraced him, you know, 439 00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:35,280 Speaker 1: you can only I think, feel good about that now. 440 00:23:35,320 --> 00:23:38,320 Speaker 1: I would imagine that that Kauai would be embraced in many, many, 441 00:23:38,359 --> 00:23:41,159 Speaker 1: many cities, But you know, I don't. I'm not sure, 442 00:23:41,600 --> 00:23:45,120 Speaker 1: quite frankly, how much that stuff actually plays into uh 443 00:23:45,160 --> 00:23:49,080 Speaker 1: these guys decisions or ultimate decisions. I can't imagine it does, 444 00:23:49,440 --> 00:23:52,600 Speaker 1: but I do I can envision a scale at which 445 00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:56,680 Speaker 1: this happens. That in the future, it might sure, Sure, 446 00:23:56,880 --> 00:23:59,920 Speaker 1: we're chatting with Mark Tatum, Deputy Commissioner of the NBA, 447 00:24:00,040 --> 00:24:04,840 Speaker 1: A and Mark Sports Betting. Everybody's talking about it. Certainly 448 00:24:04,920 --> 00:24:08,920 Speaker 1: a revenue stream of the future. We'll see where it goes. 449 00:24:09,600 --> 00:24:11,679 Speaker 1: But from what I'm here from all of the sports 450 00:24:11,800 --> 00:24:17,919 Speaker 1: leagues is that the data, fast, accurate data now is 451 00:24:17,960 --> 00:24:23,440 Speaker 1: of utmost importance and value. How does the NBA capitalize 452 00:24:24,040 --> 00:24:26,280 Speaker 1: on the data that it has. Well, I think we've 453 00:24:26,320 --> 00:24:30,840 Speaker 1: already started because we have official partnerships. So we have 454 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:34,640 Speaker 1: right now five partners that get our official data. There 455 00:24:34,640 --> 00:24:39,920 Speaker 1: are three uh you know operate each operator partnerships and 456 00:24:39,960 --> 00:24:43,480 Speaker 1: then we have to data partnerships. And the integrity of 457 00:24:43,480 --> 00:24:45,520 Speaker 1: the data is so critical, right, I mean, when you 458 00:24:45,520 --> 00:24:49,920 Speaker 1: think about the entirety of the sports betting world, it's 459 00:24:49,960 --> 00:24:55,440 Speaker 1: predicated on accurate, real time data, fast data. Absolutely algorithms 460 00:24:55,440 --> 00:24:57,720 Speaker 1: are spinning to give new odds. Will he make this 461 00:24:57,800 --> 00:25:00,240 Speaker 1: free throat? Will he whatever? Exactly? And that that's what 462 00:25:00,280 --> 00:25:03,159 Speaker 1: makes that that's what makes our data so valuable because 463 00:25:03,560 --> 00:25:07,080 Speaker 1: um and it's and it's important too that those operators 464 00:25:07,560 --> 00:25:10,200 Speaker 1: are out there using accurate data. There are is some 465 00:25:10,240 --> 00:25:15,240 Speaker 1: subjectivity for example, UM on UM you know, potential plays 466 00:25:15,280 --> 00:25:19,159 Speaker 1: that have to have a determinative outcome, and only the 467 00:25:19,240 --> 00:25:22,840 Speaker 1: league can make that decision. So, UM, if you're a 468 00:25:22,880 --> 00:25:26,560 Speaker 1: consumer and you're looking to make a bet, you want 469 00:25:26,560 --> 00:25:29,840 Speaker 1: to know that the data that's being used there is 470 00:25:29,840 --> 00:25:33,200 Speaker 1: the official league data, and that it's real and that 471 00:25:33,240 --> 00:25:36,480 Speaker 1: it's accurate. That's so important and that's so critical, and 472 00:25:36,520 --> 00:25:39,520 Speaker 1: I think that's why we're making the point that if 473 00:25:39,560 --> 00:25:42,159 Speaker 1: you're a partner of ours, um you will get access 474 00:25:42,160 --> 00:25:44,600 Speaker 1: to that data. It will make your products better. UM. 475 00:25:44,640 --> 00:25:48,680 Speaker 1: I think that the the the increase in in play 476 00:25:48,680 --> 00:25:51,760 Speaker 1: betting right we're seeing in develop betting markets that in 477 00:25:51,800 --> 00:25:55,399 Speaker 1: play is really where UM the value is. And I 478 00:25:55,440 --> 00:25:57,760 Speaker 1: think the only way you can do that is if 479 00:25:57,760 --> 00:26:02,560 Speaker 1: you're getting fast, accurate, real time data. Now, having spent 480 00:26:03,119 --> 00:26:06,919 Speaker 1: many many a year in NBA locker rooms, the easiest 481 00:26:07,000 --> 00:26:11,280 Speaker 1: data point I would think to measure would be a 482 00:26:11,320 --> 00:26:15,520 Speaker 1: player's height. Now, I have stood next to many a 483 00:26:16,240 --> 00:26:19,919 Speaker 1: uh seven footer or so they claim to be. I 484 00:26:19,960 --> 00:26:22,640 Speaker 1: have spoken with many players, Malik Rose, one of them 485 00:26:22,840 --> 00:26:26,040 Speaker 1: retired player who once told me it's like nobody wanted 486 00:26:26,040 --> 00:26:28,080 Speaker 1: a six five player. I had to put down six 487 00:26:28,359 --> 00:26:32,240 Speaker 1: six nine to get looked at. So that's a data point. 488 00:26:33,200 --> 00:26:37,400 Speaker 1: Is there a change coming where the seven footer can 489 00:26:37,400 --> 00:26:40,040 Speaker 1: no longer fudget and say I'm six ten because I 490 00:26:40,080 --> 00:26:43,040 Speaker 1: don't want to be stereotyped back to the basket. It's interesting, 491 00:26:43,040 --> 00:26:46,160 Speaker 1: it's it's yes, it's gone both ways right where Um, 492 00:26:46,200 --> 00:26:49,080 Speaker 1: if you're under size, you want to represent that you 493 00:26:49,160 --> 00:26:51,000 Speaker 1: might be taller than you are. And there are some 494 00:26:51,440 --> 00:26:54,360 Speaker 1: big guys who who I imagine if you went through 495 00:26:54,359 --> 00:26:56,120 Speaker 1: the list, you'd go, wait, that guy is a lot 496 00:26:56,160 --> 00:26:59,000 Speaker 1: taller than he's saying he is. But UM, they don't 497 00:26:59,000 --> 00:27:02,320 Speaker 1: want to be pigeonholed or stereotyped into well, he's a 498 00:27:02,359 --> 00:27:04,640 Speaker 1: seven footers so that means he can't do certain things. 499 00:27:05,760 --> 00:27:08,600 Speaker 1: Pay on the outside, but get your butt down by 500 00:27:08,600 --> 00:27:11,280 Speaker 1: the bad exactly exactly. But but I do think that 501 00:27:11,400 --> 00:27:14,879 Speaker 1: in this new world that we're living in, UM, the 502 00:27:14,960 --> 00:27:19,199 Speaker 1: integrity of that information is critical and UM and I 503 00:27:19,200 --> 00:27:23,360 Speaker 1: would say that you know that's that's knowable information. UM. 504 00:27:23,440 --> 00:27:26,160 Speaker 1: And it's something that we are looking at because it's 505 00:27:26,200 --> 00:27:28,800 Speaker 1: noable and and there and and there. You know, the 506 00:27:28,880 --> 00:27:32,240 Speaker 1: standards now in a legalized sports betting world are going 507 00:27:32,280 --> 00:27:35,400 Speaker 1: to be much much higher, um than they ever have been, 508 00:27:35,400 --> 00:27:37,640 Speaker 1: And we're looking at not just that, but we're looking 509 00:27:37,680 --> 00:27:41,679 Speaker 1: at all kinds of things injury reporting and the like, 510 00:27:41,840 --> 00:27:44,199 Speaker 1: and when is it material? You know, you you have 511 00:27:44,240 --> 00:27:47,439 Speaker 1: to balance UM in those particular situations. You have to 512 00:27:47,440 --> 00:27:53,800 Speaker 1: balance UM things like player privacy uh visa v disclosure 513 00:27:54,000 --> 00:27:57,240 Speaker 1: and so there there. You know, it's hard. These are 514 00:27:57,280 --> 00:28:00,160 Speaker 1: some complicated issues, but all those things I would fall 515 00:28:00,200 --> 00:28:04,280 Speaker 1: into the bucket or the category of the integrity of 516 00:28:04,280 --> 00:28:06,160 Speaker 1: the data, which is critical. So what would this change. 517 00:28:06,280 --> 00:28:08,040 Speaker 1: I'm just curious what would the change be though, Because 518 00:28:08,080 --> 00:28:10,119 Speaker 1: the NBA didn't measure the players, you kind of always 519 00:28:10,119 --> 00:28:12,480 Speaker 1: trusted the teams to do it right. So now is 520 00:28:12,520 --> 00:28:14,880 Speaker 1: it a directive to the teams? Listen, you have to 521 00:28:14,920 --> 00:28:18,800 Speaker 1: get it right or not. Nothing, nothing has nothing, There's 522 00:28:18,840 --> 00:28:21,200 Speaker 1: been no directive or anything like that now. But but 523 00:28:21,560 --> 00:28:23,040 Speaker 1: as we've talked about, it's one of those things that 524 00:28:23,080 --> 00:28:25,600 Speaker 1: we're looking at to say, Okay, how do we capture 525 00:28:25,720 --> 00:28:28,600 Speaker 1: in that information? How do we ensure that that information 526 00:28:28,680 --> 00:28:31,560 Speaker 1: is accurate? Is a team thing? Is a lead thing? 527 00:28:31,600 --> 00:28:34,320 Speaker 1: You know, in our draft combine, for example, we have 528 00:28:34,440 --> 00:28:37,720 Speaker 1: the opportunity to measure guys there with shoes without shoes. 529 00:28:38,200 --> 00:28:41,360 Speaker 1: UM you know the the You know, I think that 530 00:28:41,880 --> 00:28:45,640 Speaker 1: we have to have a standard measurement um where everybody 531 00:28:45,680 --> 00:28:49,440 Speaker 1: stands here without shoes backstreet and we get an accurate men, 532 00:28:49,520 --> 00:28:51,760 Speaker 1: somebody once told me that the draft combine is the 533 00:28:51,920 --> 00:28:55,280 Speaker 1: incredibly shrinking player. That's when everybody's three to four ins 534 00:28:55,320 --> 00:28:58,280 Speaker 1: is shorter than what they say in the right right. 535 00:28:58,960 --> 00:29:02,520 Speaker 1: The gravity in Chicago is great. Also, doctor told me, 536 00:29:02,560 --> 00:29:04,640 Speaker 1: by the way, best time, if you want to be taller, 537 00:29:05,080 --> 00:29:08,520 Speaker 1: measure measure yourself when you first wake up, because you 538 00:29:08,560 --> 00:29:12,680 Speaker 1: could be an inch taller at the beginning of the day. 539 00:29:12,880 --> 00:29:15,920 Speaker 1: Wake up, hang upside down on one of those inversions. 540 00:29:16,600 --> 00:29:18,560 Speaker 1: You could be an inch taller than if you measured 541 00:29:18,560 --> 00:29:21,800 Speaker 1: yourself late in the afternoon, in ten pounds lighter. But 542 00:29:22,040 --> 00:29:25,600 Speaker 1: for me, yeah, I've written a bit about the data 543 00:29:25,640 --> 00:29:29,760 Speaker 1: privacy from a player personnel standpoint um, and you guys 544 00:29:29,960 --> 00:29:32,640 Speaker 1: were kind of on the front edge again in this process. 545 00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:35,200 Speaker 1: Your most recent cb A, you put in some language 546 00:29:35,200 --> 00:29:37,680 Speaker 1: about wearables and what teams were allowed to use and 547 00:29:37,720 --> 00:29:40,440 Speaker 1: not allowed to use when it came to contract negotiations, etcetera. 548 00:29:40,640 --> 00:29:43,600 Speaker 1: As we dive deeper into this world of data, not 549 00:29:43,640 --> 00:29:48,080 Speaker 1: just for sports gambling, but also for medical purposes for nutrition, sleep, etcetera. 550 00:29:48,160 --> 00:29:50,440 Speaker 1: How big do you do you envision kind of that 551 00:29:50,560 --> 00:29:54,720 Speaker 1: part of negotiations becoming between players and teams in the league, 552 00:29:55,000 --> 00:29:57,920 Speaker 1: because all these things have kind of tangible monetary value 553 00:29:58,000 --> 00:30:00,280 Speaker 1: kind of moving forward. Yeah, that that's stuff one of 554 00:30:00,360 --> 00:30:04,200 Speaker 1: those areas where we had lots of conversations with Michelle 555 00:30:04,200 --> 00:30:08,120 Speaker 1: and the Players Association about that. Like, like I said earlier, 556 00:30:08,120 --> 00:30:12,360 Speaker 1: there's that balance between UM player privacy, how that information 557 00:30:12,600 --> 00:30:15,320 Speaker 1: is being utilized UM by teams. You know, there are 558 00:30:15,360 --> 00:30:19,280 Speaker 1: lots of players who want that information because it can 559 00:30:19,480 --> 00:30:22,120 Speaker 1: help them improve their performance and in some cases it 560 00:30:22,160 --> 00:30:24,840 Speaker 1: could potentially help them help them save their lives. Right, 561 00:30:24,880 --> 00:30:28,400 Speaker 1: And so I think that kind of information and access 562 00:30:28,440 --> 00:30:31,720 Speaker 1: to UM to data and and and health information is 563 00:30:31,760 --> 00:30:35,040 Speaker 1: critical and it's something that UM the players want, and 564 00:30:35,080 --> 00:30:38,000 Speaker 1: it's something that our teams want UM. But we have 565 00:30:38,080 --> 00:30:41,280 Speaker 1: to figure out how to use it and how how 566 00:30:41,320 --> 00:30:43,440 Speaker 1: not to use it UM. And I think that's a 567 00:30:43,440 --> 00:30:46,800 Speaker 1: collaborative conversation that we have started and have been having 568 00:30:46,800 --> 00:30:49,360 Speaker 1: with the Players Association. But those those conversations have been 569 00:30:49,440 --> 00:30:52,040 Speaker 1: very very productive with them, all right, Michelle, of course, 570 00:30:52,080 --> 00:30:54,240 Speaker 1: Michelle Roberts, the executive director of the n b P 571 00:30:54,280 --> 00:30:57,080 Speaker 1: A Mark Datum and be a deputy commissioner. Thanks so 572 00:30:57,120 --> 00:30:58,720 Speaker 1: much for coming on in. Thank you guys, with a 573 00:30:58,760 --> 00:31:01,200 Speaker 1: pleasure being here. Thanks. I gotta tell you, you you know 574 00:31:01,200 --> 00:31:03,480 Speaker 1: what I take away from this interview, and then you 575 00:31:03,480 --> 00:31:06,280 Speaker 1: know I love it, you know, I love this the 576 00:31:06,280 --> 00:31:10,040 Speaker 1: height of the players all these years, and I've known 577 00:31:10,080 --> 00:31:11,960 Speaker 1: because I've spent enough time in these locker rooms. A 578 00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:13,760 Speaker 1: guy lists themselves at seven feet, I'm like, you know, 579 00:31:13,840 --> 00:31:15,720 Speaker 1: I'm up to his nose. I'm like, wait a minute, 580 00:31:15,760 --> 00:31:19,760 Speaker 1: something's not right. Or a guy lists themselves at six 581 00:31:19,800 --> 00:31:22,280 Speaker 1: ten and I'm like, whoa, whoa, You're standing next to 582 00:31:22,280 --> 00:31:24,880 Speaker 1: a seven foot You've got three inches on them. They're 583 00:31:24,920 --> 00:31:27,200 Speaker 1: they're cracking down, but it's so interesting that they were. 584 00:31:27,320 --> 00:31:30,440 Speaker 1: It was a fun joke, wink nod. Nobody really cared. 585 00:31:30,440 --> 00:31:33,080 Speaker 1: Nobody got hurt. But in a world of sports betting, 586 00:31:33,080 --> 00:31:36,719 Speaker 1: where you're saying, our data is accurate and valuable and 587 00:31:36,760 --> 00:31:39,040 Speaker 1: you should pay for it and you've gotta have it 588 00:31:39,680 --> 00:31:43,120 Speaker 1: if it's so easily measurable heights and weights, you gotta 589 00:31:43,120 --> 00:31:44,760 Speaker 1: get it right. Yeah, And that kind of leads into 590 00:31:44,800 --> 00:31:47,600 Speaker 1: my takeaway, which is that you know as we as 591 00:31:47,720 --> 00:31:50,640 Speaker 1: leagues and teams and players dive deeper and deeper into data, 592 00:31:50,960 --> 00:31:53,160 Speaker 1: we're going to continue to have a bigger and bigger 593 00:31:53,160 --> 00:31:56,520 Speaker 1: conversation about who owns what and what can be used 594 00:31:56,560 --> 00:32:00,600 Speaker 1: for what. I can't imagine Kevin Durant really airs if 595 00:32:00,680 --> 00:32:02,840 Speaker 1: you know, the public knows if he's seven one or 596 00:32:02,880 --> 00:32:06,080 Speaker 1: six ft eleven. But as we go into things like 597 00:32:06,520 --> 00:32:10,000 Speaker 1: heart rate and nutrition and sleep and things like that, uh, 598 00:32:10,120 --> 00:32:13,560 Speaker 1: skin conductance. Uh, there is going to continually be a 599 00:32:13,600 --> 00:32:16,640 Speaker 1: big conversation about what teams are allowed to take, what 600 00:32:16,720 --> 00:32:19,120 Speaker 1: they can use to help players recover but can't use 601 00:32:19,200 --> 00:32:22,680 Speaker 1: when it comes to negotiation time for contracts. All leagues 602 00:32:22,680 --> 00:32:24,200 Speaker 1: are dealing with this and it's going to continue to 603 00:32:24,240 --> 00:32:29,280 Speaker 1: be a bigger issue moving forward. It feels better to 604 00:32:29,280 --> 00:32:30,920 Speaker 1: be a number one than number five. I'll wear a 605 00:32:31,000 --> 00:32:32,720 Speaker 1: number because of Mike. We have a chance to go 606 00:32:32,800 --> 00:32:34,600 Speaker 1: for three in a row numbers at a good time. 607 00:32:34,600 --> 00:32:36,760 Speaker 1: When I first started wearing the number, how would just 608 00:32:36,800 --> 00:32:40,520 Speaker 1: have the bloomberg business of sports? The number of the 609 00:32:40,560 --> 00:32:42,480 Speaker 1: week time Now for a number of the week's got 610 00:32:42,640 --> 00:32:44,360 Speaker 1: you haven't been briefed on it, but the number is 611 00:32:44,400 --> 00:32:48,920 Speaker 1: thirty two thirty two consecutive wins. I was gonna say 612 00:32:48,920 --> 00:32:51,760 Speaker 1: Magic Johnson, No, I didn't. I know who has thirty 613 00:32:51,760 --> 00:32:55,200 Speaker 1: two consecutive wins. The Jeopardy guy. Oh like, how did 614 00:32:55,200 --> 00:32:58,320 Speaker 1: I not get James holt Sauer, who finally lost his 615 00:32:58,440 --> 00:33:01,040 Speaker 1: run on Jeopardy this week? Uh? And I feel better 616 00:33:01,040 --> 00:33:03,760 Speaker 1: that he that he went out. Even if he had 617 00:33:03,800 --> 00:33:06,160 Speaker 1: made the full bet and I've heard all the explanations 618 00:33:06,160 --> 00:33:08,560 Speaker 1: behind the numbers, had he bet at all lost, yeah, 619 00:33:08,560 --> 00:33:10,440 Speaker 1: he still would have lost. I feel better not imagine 620 00:33:10,480 --> 00:33:12,600 Speaker 1: if he had done the math and but and then 621 00:33:12,600 --> 00:33:14,200 Speaker 1: the woman got it wrong and he would have one 622 00:33:14,240 --> 00:33:16,000 Speaker 1: had he bet more. I'm glad it didn't happen that way. 623 00:33:16,040 --> 00:33:19,000 Speaker 1: He was going to go down no matter what. Sports 624 00:33:19,000 --> 00:33:21,280 Speaker 1: better a guy who's worked in the industry for a while. 625 00:33:21,480 --> 00:33:22,880 Speaker 1: And I think you saw it in the way that 626 00:33:22,920 --> 00:33:25,440 Speaker 1: he played. You know, he was clearly played. He had 627 00:33:25,440 --> 00:33:28,400 Speaker 1: a different strategy than almost anybody else. He worked boughtom up, 628 00:33:28,440 --> 00:33:31,240 Speaker 1: trying to get a bigger stack before going after the 629 00:33:31,560 --> 00:33:35,120 Speaker 1: daily doubles um and yeah, a lot of people out 630 00:33:35,120 --> 00:33:37,400 Speaker 1: there I think he's the best ever. He was essentially 631 00:33:37,400 --> 00:33:39,920 Speaker 1: in the game he lost. He could have eclipsed Ken 632 00:33:40,000 --> 00:33:43,600 Speaker 1: Jennings dollar total. So he made just under I think 633 00:33:43,640 --> 00:33:45,880 Speaker 1: just under two million dollars, which is not a bad uh, 634 00:33:46,160 --> 00:33:48,360 Speaker 1: not a bad result for for for a week or 635 00:33:48,360 --> 00:33:50,120 Speaker 1: two of work, and people cared because he showed the 636 00:33:50,200 --> 00:33:52,280 Speaker 1: rating on the final show afterward leaked out that he 637 00:33:52,320 --> 00:33:55,600 Speaker 1: had lost. Was like right up there with major sporting. Absolutely. 638 00:33:55,640 --> 00:33:57,400 Speaker 1: My guesses you'll see him again in the Tournament of 639 00:33:57,480 --> 00:34:01,280 Speaker 1: Champions and things like that. Who is Evan Novie Williams. 640 00:34:01,440 --> 00:34:04,440 Speaker 1: That's my answer to all questions. I don't know you've 641 00:34:04,440 --> 00:34:06,880 Speaker 1: been listening to Bloomberg Business of Sports. We are here 642 00:34:06,880 --> 00:34:09,480 Speaker 1: every week at the same time, plus online wherever you 643 00:34:09,520 --> 00:34:12,960 Speaker 1: get your podcast. You can catch that Monday's, Wednesdays and Thursdays. 644 00:34:12,960 --> 00:34:16,400 Speaker 1: I'm Scott Snik on Twitter at im Eben Novie Williams 645 00:34:16,480 --> 00:34:19,520 Speaker 1: at NOVI Underscore Williams. Thanks for joining us, and please 646 00:34:19,560 --> 00:34:21,640 Speaker 1: tune in next week when we speak with the biggest 647 00:34:21,680 --> 00:34:24,200 Speaker 1: and brightest in the sports business world. You're listening to 648 00:34:24,280 --> 00:34:27,240 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio around the world.