1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,560 Speaker 1: This is the business of sports where in the situation 2 00:00:03,640 --> 00:00:06,400 Speaker 1: that we haven't dealt with in modern times, pandemic here 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:10,479 Speaker 1: has really accelerated the investments that we've been advocating for 4 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:12,880 Speaker 1: for years. From a macro standpoint, I think our sport 5 00:00:12,920 --> 00:00:16,360 Speaker 1: industry is really forced to look at the business a 6 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:19,639 Speaker 1: little bit differently. In depth conversations with the leaders in 7 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:22,759 Speaker 1: the sports industry. Who wants to be the sacrificial lambs 8 00:00:22,800 --> 00:00:25,599 Speaker 1: that shows up at the first big major sporting event, 9 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:27,640 Speaker 1: a part of something much bigger than the sport right 10 00:00:27,680 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: now and the health and safety of our stakeholders that 11 00:00:30,160 --> 00:00:32,839 Speaker 1: works much important every moment. I think we're all from 12 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:35,560 Speaker 1: the business respective thinking about the impact that the virus 13 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:38,479 Speaker 1: is having on across the country against Bloomberg Business of 14 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:41,640 Speaker 1: Sports from Bloomberg Radio. Hi, every one, I'm Jason Kelly 15 00:00:41,720 --> 00:00:43,800 Speaker 1: and I'm Mike Blynch, and over the next hour we're 16 00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:45,440 Speaker 1: going to catch you up on what's going on in 17 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:47,959 Speaker 1: the world of sports, especially when it comes to the 18 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:51,400 Speaker 1: business of sports. It's a big time, it always has 19 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:53,360 Speaker 1: a big time of the world of sports. But the 20 00:00:53,479 --> 00:00:56,480 Speaker 1: NBA already back to business. We're going to speak with 21 00:00:56,520 --> 00:00:59,240 Speaker 1: Mark Tatum. He is the Deputy commissioner of the league 22 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:03,160 Speaker 1: also the chief operating officer, all about how they're getting 23 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:06,720 Speaker 1: the game back onto the court, as it were, outside 24 00:01:06,760 --> 00:01:09,640 Speaker 1: of a bubble. Lots of things to get into there. 25 00:01:09,880 --> 00:01:12,760 Speaker 1: It was quite a year, we know for the NBA, 26 00:01:13,080 --> 00:01:16,000 Speaker 1: and one is going to present a whole new set 27 00:01:16,040 --> 00:01:19,000 Speaker 1: of challenges, Lynchy. But before we get to that, some 28 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:22,040 Speaker 1: huge headlines. It feels like in the sports world, and 29 00:01:22,120 --> 00:01:24,680 Speaker 1: especially when it comes to money and sports, which is 30 00:01:24,720 --> 00:01:27,200 Speaker 1: what we love to talk about. Let's talk about colleges 31 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:29,480 Speaker 1: and the n C Double A. This has been a 32 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:31,800 Speaker 1: topic that you and I have talked a lot about 33 00:01:32,319 --> 00:01:35,880 Speaker 1: on this program, and this is headed to the Supreme 34 00:01:35,959 --> 00:01:39,680 Speaker 1: Court to Congress. Everywhere you look, it seems, Lynchy, feels 35 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:42,640 Speaker 1: like people are saying, maybe college athletes should get paid. 36 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:45,080 Speaker 1: You know, there's all kinds of commissions that are popping up. 37 00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:48,080 Speaker 1: They're all kinds of committees. We now have two Senators 38 00:01:48,160 --> 00:01:50,920 Speaker 1: that have proposed on Thursday at college Bill of Rights 39 00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:54,640 Speaker 1: and for the second time in ages, I think it's 40 00:01:55,520 --> 00:01:57,600 Speaker 1: was the last time the Supreme Court got involved with 41 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:00,200 Speaker 1: the n C Double A. And right now is gonna 42 00:02:00,200 --> 00:02:02,600 Speaker 1: be a lot of attention focused on this decision right 43 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 1: now about compensation and ability to use likeness. They call 44 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:09,800 Speaker 1: it what the n I l name, image and likeness. 45 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:12,040 Speaker 1: I think is the is the term that use So 46 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:13,880 Speaker 1: this this is going to be a lot of attention 47 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:16,919 Speaker 1: paid to this decision. Well, and there are a lot 48 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:20,040 Speaker 1: of sort of complicated elements to this it it feels like. 49 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:22,519 Speaker 1: And the fact, as you say that it's sort of 50 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:24,799 Speaker 1: happening on all these different fronts, I think makes it 51 00:02:24,840 --> 00:02:27,679 Speaker 1: a little more complicated. It feels like, as best I 52 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:30,919 Speaker 1: can tell, what the Supreme Court is essentially taking up 53 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:34,840 Speaker 1: is this notion of is there a cap on what 54 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:41,560 Speaker 1: a university can ultimately offer a student athlete by way 55 00:02:41,720 --> 00:02:46,480 Speaker 1: of compensation via scholarships? And should that definition be expanded? 56 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:50,280 Speaker 1: That is separate from this whole notion of name, image 57 00:02:50,280 --> 00:02:54,639 Speaker 1: and likeness? Can an athlete be paid for what he 58 00:02:55,080 --> 00:03:00,120 Speaker 1: or she is essentially producing at a time when we 59 00:03:00,200 --> 00:03:03,079 Speaker 1: know there is so much money chasing it and you 60 00:03:03,160 --> 00:03:07,320 Speaker 1: know you very rightly Lynch remembered as we were preparing 61 00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:11,280 Speaker 1: for this that this is not new across decades, and 62 00:03:11,360 --> 00:03:13,720 Speaker 1: in fact, we talked about this with a money tumor. 63 00:03:14,240 --> 00:03:17,440 Speaker 1: Giants stand out former University of Michigan player about this. 64 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:19,800 Speaker 1: Back in September, our coach Gary Moeller used to get 65 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:26,799 Speaker 1: five dollars from Nike in money money for us to 66 00:03:26,880 --> 00:03:29,280 Speaker 1: wear Nikes. And I always thought that was just ridiculous. 67 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:31,880 Speaker 1: You know, we're out there work doing it, We're out 68 00:03:31,919 --> 00:03:34,440 Speaker 1: there wearing these shoes and then like we couldn't even 69 00:03:34,520 --> 00:03:36,720 Speaker 1: tape them. They would let us tape up the shoes 70 00:03:36,880 --> 00:03:40,680 Speaker 1: because Nike wanted to see more Nike suss. That is 71 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 1: something that's stuck with both of us. I have quoted 72 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:45,200 Speaker 1: that back a number of times since that conversation Lynchy, 73 00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:48,839 Speaker 1: and this is not new, No, it's not. And it's 74 00:03:48,880 --> 00:03:50,560 Speaker 1: something that bought that that this has been going on. 75 00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:53,160 Speaker 1: I just said for a long long time. We're talking 76 00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:58,760 Speaker 1: almost thirty years now. The contrarian in me would say, well, 77 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:00,680 Speaker 1: if you didn't go to the universe of Michigan, you 78 00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:03,160 Speaker 1: wouldn't have had all the exposure you had which allowed 79 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:05,200 Speaker 1: you to be drafted and allowed you to have a 80 00:04:05,600 --> 00:04:10,000 Speaker 1: very profitable and a professional career with the New York 81 00:04:10,040 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 1: Football Giants. So it's really that line between the amateurism 82 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:16,840 Speaker 1: and being paid is just it's been blurred for a 83 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:19,159 Speaker 1: long long time and it might come more into focus 84 00:04:19,279 --> 00:04:21,480 Speaker 1: and it might be some clarity to it when the 85 00:04:21,560 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 1: n C double A, when this Supreme Court rules on 86 00:04:25,160 --> 00:04:28,440 Speaker 1: this decision. Yeah. I mean one of the nuanced arguments, 87 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 1: of course, around this is this notion that there are 88 00:04:32,800 --> 00:04:36,520 Speaker 1: lots and lots and lots of athletes who play at 89 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:38,840 Speaker 1: the college level, play at a very high level, and 90 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:42,159 Speaker 1: don't turn pro right, and so this is the time 91 00:04:42,279 --> 00:04:47,560 Speaker 1: when they can benefit financially from they're athletic gifts. And 92 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:50,599 Speaker 1: there is a debate, as you say, as to whether 93 00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:56,120 Speaker 1: and education is essentially uh good enough as it were. 94 00:04:56,320 --> 00:04:58,719 Speaker 1: I do think, and we talked about this again, it's 95 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 1: sort of a reflection of how much we've been talking 96 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:03,400 Speaker 1: about this. You know, when we caught up with Amy 97 00:05:03,480 --> 00:05:07,520 Speaker 1: Perko at the Night Commission, she was talking about just 98 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 1: how much this has been exacerbated in for lack of 99 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:15,120 Speaker 1: better term, big time college football in many ways where 100 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:22,400 Speaker 1: you have the coaches among the highest paid state employees 101 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:26,840 Speaker 1: in their respective states. And I just think it's all 102 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:29,880 Speaker 1: coming to a head. It is. Amy is going to 103 00:05:29,960 --> 00:05:33,800 Speaker 1: be part of this National College Football Association that basically 104 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:36,760 Speaker 1: is going to secede from Division two and Division three 105 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:39,880 Speaker 1: and sort of be its own entity and control some 106 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:43,280 Speaker 1: of the she says, the out of control money that's 107 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:45,760 Speaker 1: going around in big time college football right now. So 108 00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:48,440 Speaker 1: it feels like some radical changes maybe a foot here 109 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:50,480 Speaker 1: as we head into twenty one when it comes to 110 00:05:50,560 --> 00:05:54,120 Speaker 1: college athletics and when we move over to baseball. It 111 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:56,200 Speaker 1: was a big week there as well. We're going to 112 00:05:56,320 --> 00:06:00,320 Speaker 1: have spring training allegedly starting on time. But also I 113 00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:06,320 Speaker 1: think important to note that looking backwards in a positive way, 114 00:06:06,839 --> 00:06:09,880 Speaker 1: Major League Baseball made a big decision this week in 115 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:12,400 Speaker 1: the interest of fairness. It did with the with the 116 00:06:12,520 --> 00:06:16,160 Speaker 1: negro Leagues and now recognizing them as Major League Baseball. Uh, 117 00:06:16,279 --> 00:06:19,000 Speaker 1: they had first, they had a commission in nineteen sixty nine. 118 00:06:19,040 --> 00:06:21,480 Speaker 1: That's said, none of the records that were set between 119 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:25,000 Speaker 1: ninety eight, which is the year of the years of 120 00:06:25,080 --> 00:06:27,800 Speaker 1: the negro Leagues won't count, but now they will, and 121 00:06:27,920 --> 00:06:30,520 Speaker 1: guys like Josh Gibson, Satchel Page will He may has 122 00:06:30,600 --> 00:06:32,760 Speaker 1: even played in the negro Leagues and had fourteen hits 123 00:06:32,839 --> 00:06:36,080 Speaker 1: before he became a member of the New York Baseball Giants. 124 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:38,880 Speaker 1: So that's a huge, huge step, and you know, it's 125 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:42,360 Speaker 1: just once again it's part of the year Uh, some 126 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:44,279 Speaker 1: of the good things that have come out of this year, 127 00:06:44,720 --> 00:06:47,919 Speaker 1: although the social awareness that we have had, Black Lives 128 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:51,440 Speaker 1: Matter and now the Negro leagues being recognized as Major 129 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:53,880 Speaker 1: League Baseball. Yeah, it gives you a little bit of 130 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:59,040 Speaker 1: optimism when you see big institutions really doing the right thing. 131 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:01,520 Speaker 1: And and base ball. We've been critical of Major League 132 00:07:01,520 --> 00:07:04,280 Speaker 1: Baseball on this show for sure, and and certainly they've 133 00:07:04,320 --> 00:07:07,600 Speaker 1: got some hills to climb when it comes to uh 134 00:07:07,720 --> 00:07:10,240 Speaker 1: new contract with the players that's still coming up in 135 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:13,400 Speaker 1: twenty one. But you know, a little bit of optimism, Uh, 136 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:17,040 Speaker 1: maybe about baseball. How do you feel about baseball right now? 137 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:19,800 Speaker 1: I'm feeling a little bit better. Of the Cleveland Indians 138 00:07:19,920 --> 00:07:22,360 Speaker 1: are going to change their name. They will play in 139 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:25,720 Speaker 1: one is the Cleveland Indians. But it appears that the 140 00:07:26,240 --> 00:07:29,080 Speaker 1: people that have been affected the most have been heard. 141 00:07:29,280 --> 00:07:31,320 Speaker 1: They've sat down at the table with the ownership of 142 00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:33,680 Speaker 1: the Cleveland Indians, and I think that this is a 143 00:07:33,760 --> 00:07:36,600 Speaker 1: smart decision. It's not going to be impulsive on a 144 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:39,520 Speaker 1: name change, and by sometime in Midsummer they will have 145 00:07:39,680 --> 00:07:43,960 Speaker 1: a name that's acceptable to Native Americans and the city 146 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:46,880 Speaker 1: of Cleveland and the baseball organization itself. This of course, 147 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:48,840 Speaker 1: is happening at the same time that the very same 148 00:07:48,960 --> 00:07:52,000 Speaker 1: conversation is happening in the nation's capital around the Washington 149 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:54,280 Speaker 1: football team they made that decision. I actually got a 150 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:56,680 Speaker 1: chance to catch up with Jason Wright, the president, who 151 00:07:56,760 --> 00:07:58,960 Speaker 1: has been a guest on this show before. We're all 152 00:07:59,080 --> 00:08:01,000 Speaker 1: some of that out next week. But you know, he 153 00:08:01,200 --> 00:08:03,440 Speaker 1: was saying to me as part of that interview that 154 00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 1: while obviously these are similar situations each city, it's idiosyncratic. 155 00:08:07,960 --> 00:08:11,600 Speaker 1: You know, each city, each team, each community has to 156 00:08:12,040 --> 00:08:15,160 Speaker 1: you know, come together with its individual stakeholders and make 157 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:18,440 Speaker 1: the right decision. And as he said, these are weighty decisions. 158 00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:21,600 Speaker 1: These are hundred year decisions in many ways, and uh, 159 00:08:21,720 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 1: they are complicated. But it does feel like, as you say, Lynchy, 160 00:08:25,480 --> 00:08:27,680 Speaker 1: we seem to be heading in the right direction and 161 00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:30,800 Speaker 1: maybe when we look back at we'll be able to 162 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:34,160 Speaker 1: see that some of the right decisions started to be made. 163 00:08:34,360 --> 00:08:36,720 Speaker 1: All right, let's get to this week's guest. We're talking Hoop. 164 00:08:37,200 --> 00:08:39,319 Speaker 1: That's right. Two and a half months after the Los 165 00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:44,079 Speaker 1: Angeles Lakers captured the title in that now famous bubble 166 00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:47,079 Speaker 1: the NBA regular season, it's going to pick up again 167 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:51,920 Speaker 1: on the twenty second, Tuesday, December twenty two. Tune into 168 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:55,200 Speaker 1: T and T. It's a doubleheader, the Brooklyn Nets hosting 169 00:08:55,440 --> 00:08:59,679 Speaker 1: the Warriors, and of course those defending champion Lakers. They 170 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:03,880 Speaker 1: will play the Clippers. That's all starts at seven pm. 171 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:07,280 Speaker 1: And we are delighted to get into all of that 172 00:09:07,520 --> 00:09:10,480 Speaker 1: and so much more with Mark Tatum. He is the 173 00:09:10,720 --> 00:09:14,600 Speaker 1: NBA's Deputy Commissioner, also the Chief Operating Officer. Mark. Really 174 00:09:14,640 --> 00:09:16,679 Speaker 1: good to talk to you. We were going deep on 175 00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:20,400 Speaker 1: your background and Lynch He's background before we came on air. 176 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:24,240 Speaker 1: Really excited to talk to you because we know it's 177 00:09:24,240 --> 00:09:27,559 Speaker 1: a very busy time. You're back to business already. What 178 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:31,240 Speaker 1: is like number one on your agenda right now? Absolutely, 179 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:33,959 Speaker 1: Jason and Mike, it's great to be with you guys. 180 00:09:34,559 --> 00:09:38,400 Speaker 1: Number One on our agenda is getting our season up 181 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:41,400 Speaker 1: and running in a safe and healthy way. You know, 182 00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:44,640 Speaker 1: that's been the priority here for the last several weeks 183 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:47,600 Speaker 1: since we've finished up our last season and the bubble. 184 00:09:47,720 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 1: The last season was the longest season in NBA history, 185 00:09:51,720 --> 00:09:54,559 Speaker 1: and this is one of the shortest turnarounds in in 186 00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:58,000 Speaker 1: NBA history, and so being able to get back to 187 00:09:58,120 --> 00:10:01,920 Speaker 1: basketball and in our season up and running with keeping 188 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:05,520 Speaker 1: everybody healthy and safe is our number one priority right now. Well, 189 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:08,199 Speaker 1: you went three months without one positive test down in 190 00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:10,280 Speaker 1: the Bubble. Now you're without the bubble. Tell me some 191 00:10:10,400 --> 00:10:13,520 Speaker 1: of the challenges that you're facing right now without the 192 00:10:13,600 --> 00:10:17,800 Speaker 1: Bubble this season, in the season less than a week away. Yeah, thanks, Mike. 193 00:10:17,920 --> 00:10:20,640 Speaker 1: You know, when we put together the Bubble, we work 194 00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:25,160 Speaker 1: with our medical experts and public health officials to really 195 00:10:25,280 --> 00:10:29,360 Speaker 1: put together a set of protocols and an environment where 196 00:10:29,600 --> 00:10:32,360 Speaker 1: we could keep everybody safe. But I gotta tell you 197 00:10:32,559 --> 00:10:37,679 Speaker 1: required tremendous sacrifice from our players, from the teams, from 198 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:42,280 Speaker 1: our staff who were asked to go down in in cases, 199 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:46,200 Speaker 1: leave their families, leave their friends for an extended period 200 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:50,040 Speaker 1: of time. And we just decided that that was just 201 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:54,000 Speaker 1: untenable to return back to a bubble environment for an 202 00:10:54,160 --> 00:10:58,120 Speaker 1: entire season. And so we have been working again very 203 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:01,600 Speaker 1: closely with those same medical experts, those same public health officials, 204 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:05,719 Speaker 1: the Players Association, and our teams to figure out how 205 00:11:05,840 --> 00:11:09,520 Speaker 1: we can actually safely and responsibly return to play in 206 00:11:09,760 --> 00:11:13,520 Speaker 1: our arenas. And we've learned a lot about COVID nineteen 207 00:11:13,640 --> 00:11:17,560 Speaker 1: since we suspended our season last March and operating our campus, 208 00:11:17,640 --> 00:11:21,120 Speaker 1: including how to mitigate the risks associated with the virus 209 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:24,520 Speaker 1: and its transmission. And so we put together this set 210 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:28,120 Speaker 1: of protocols that we think will work and allow us 211 00:11:28,160 --> 00:11:32,240 Speaker 1: to safely and responsibly return to play. And you know, 212 00:11:32,440 --> 00:11:35,320 Speaker 1: the thing that I think has been so critical, even 213 00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:38,040 Speaker 1: in the bubble, you know, people talk about the testing. 214 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:41,839 Speaker 1: The testing is actually not what keeps people safe. The 215 00:11:41,920 --> 00:11:46,920 Speaker 1: testing will just discover the virus. Um. That's not why 216 00:11:47,000 --> 00:11:49,640 Speaker 1: we got zero tests in the bubble. It's because the 217 00:11:49,760 --> 00:11:53,360 Speaker 1: players and team staff they actually followed the protocol. They 218 00:11:53,440 --> 00:11:56,960 Speaker 1: wore their masks, they socially distanced, they you know, they 219 00:11:57,040 --> 00:12:01,720 Speaker 1: took the protocols very seriously. UM and expect and hope 220 00:12:01,760 --> 00:12:05,440 Speaker 1: that our players and teams and everyone involved now playing 221 00:12:05,480 --> 00:12:09,359 Speaker 1: in their local markets will continue to take those protocols 222 00:12:09,720 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 1: seriously and and which will allow us to again operate 223 00:12:14,440 --> 00:12:16,959 Speaker 1: in a safe and healthy way. And so mark to 224 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:19,760 Speaker 1: that exact point. I mean, you've seen other leagues, including 225 00:12:19,760 --> 00:12:24,000 Speaker 1: the NFL, levying fines for you know, not wearing masks 226 00:12:24,120 --> 00:12:27,439 Speaker 1: for bad behavior. You know, we've seen that through the 227 00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:31,079 Speaker 1: NFL a little bit in in baseball as well. What 228 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:34,880 Speaker 1: is the right balance in terms of sort of carrot 229 00:12:34,960 --> 00:12:36,959 Speaker 1: and stick here. What are you prepared to do to 230 00:12:37,400 --> 00:12:40,120 Speaker 1: make sure that everybody is following the rules? Well, again, 231 00:12:40,200 --> 00:12:43,520 Speaker 1: I think we have a great partnership with the Players Association. 232 00:12:43,679 --> 00:12:47,440 Speaker 1: We've been in constant dialogue with Michelle Roberts and her team, 233 00:12:47,559 --> 00:12:50,520 Speaker 1: Chris Paul and the Executive Committee, and they take it 234 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:55,480 Speaker 1: just as they take it, just as seriously as we do, Jason. 235 00:12:55,559 --> 00:12:59,280 Speaker 1: And you know this is they feel a responsibility to 236 00:12:59,400 --> 00:13:04,679 Speaker 1: each other to ensure that everybody's following the protocols. And so, 237 00:13:05,320 --> 00:13:09,880 Speaker 1: you know, we UM have confidence that with these protocols 238 00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:12,120 Speaker 1: in place, that we're going to be able to, you know, 239 00:13:12,280 --> 00:13:14,320 Speaker 1: do what we need to do and keep everyone safe 240 00:13:14,360 --> 00:13:17,360 Speaker 1: and healthy. And we'll deal with situations on the case 241 00:13:17,440 --> 00:13:20,599 Speaker 1: by case basis. Um. Those are things that you know, 242 00:13:20,679 --> 00:13:24,120 Speaker 1: we had to work through with the Players Association, UM 243 00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:27,480 Speaker 1: when we were even down in Orlando and UM, and 244 00:13:27,760 --> 00:13:30,439 Speaker 1: so I think we'll continue to deal with those cases 245 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:32,680 Speaker 1: as they come up. Mark, what kind of lessons did 246 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:35,600 Speaker 1: you learn from Major League Baseball in the NFL two 247 00:13:35,679 --> 00:13:39,200 Speaker 1: leagues that did not UH and do not have a bubble. Yeah, 248 00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:41,640 Speaker 1: we we studied them a lot, and we talked to 249 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:43,719 Speaker 1: them a lot, We engage with engage with them a 250 00:13:43,800 --> 00:13:49,280 Speaker 1: lot to really understand how they operate. You know, there 251 00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:55,640 Speaker 1: are obviously some differences between UM NFL and baseball. First 252 00:13:55,679 --> 00:13:59,679 Speaker 1: and foremost, those sports are outdoor sports. They in the 253 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:03,440 Speaker 1: case of football, for example, they aren't playing as frequently 254 00:14:03,679 --> 00:14:06,640 Speaker 1: as we are UM You know, we're an indoor sport. 255 00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:09,360 Speaker 1: We're gonna be playing on a more regular basis, on 256 00:14:09,400 --> 00:14:12,199 Speaker 1: a weekly basis, and so you know, we we we've 257 00:14:12,360 --> 00:14:16,160 Speaker 1: taken the learnings from them and the best we can, 258 00:14:16,320 --> 00:14:20,960 Speaker 1: and consulted with their medical experts as well too. You 259 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:24,000 Speaker 1: really see things that we might be able to apply 260 00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:28,280 Speaker 1: to our model, even though the sports are very, very different. 261 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:31,320 Speaker 1: But we feel like we have a great plan in place, 262 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:36,360 Speaker 1: again dealing with our experts um and putting together protocols 263 00:14:36,400 --> 00:14:38,320 Speaker 1: that we think will be able to keep everybody safe 264 00:14:38,360 --> 00:14:40,080 Speaker 1: and healthy. Mark one thing I want to make sure 265 00:14:40,120 --> 00:14:43,040 Speaker 1: I understand in terms of like arena to arena, city 266 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 1: to city, how do you sort of determine what the 267 00:14:46,880 --> 00:14:51,080 Speaker 1: rules are when it comes to fans and personnel and 268 00:14:51,520 --> 00:14:55,200 Speaker 1: who ultimately is is making those decisions? Mean you guys 269 00:14:55,240 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 1: are well known for having great relationships with your owners 270 00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:01,120 Speaker 1: and with your players. But it's going to vary from 271 00:15:01,240 --> 00:15:04,200 Speaker 1: region to region and place to place. How does that work? 272 00:15:04,760 --> 00:15:07,440 Speaker 1: It will? So our teams have been in close touch 273 00:15:07,560 --> 00:15:11,560 Speaker 1: with their local health authorities and in many cases we 274 00:15:11,720 --> 00:15:16,880 Speaker 1: have been there as well, um giving confidence to those 275 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:22,600 Speaker 1: local health officials about our protocols and and in some cases, UH, 276 00:15:22,720 --> 00:15:26,160 Speaker 1: fans will be allowed in arenas. You know, in the 277 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:29,840 Speaker 1: in the very beginning, we've had five teams make announcements 278 00:15:29,880 --> 00:15:34,040 Speaker 1: about being able to open up with fans Houston, Memphis, 279 00:15:34,240 --> 00:15:39,600 Speaker 1: New Orleans, Orlando and Utah UM and you know, and 280 00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:43,720 Speaker 1: they've gotten their local government officials comfortable with the protocols 281 00:15:43,760 --> 00:15:46,880 Speaker 1: that we put in place to allow fans. Our our 282 00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:49,480 Speaker 1: hope is that you know, at some point we can 283 00:15:49,560 --> 00:15:51,680 Speaker 1: play in our arenas in front of fans for as 284 00:15:51,800 --> 00:15:55,120 Speaker 1: much of the upcoming season as possible, provided that we 285 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:58,120 Speaker 1: can do it safely. Uh. And so you know, it 286 00:15:58,240 --> 00:16:01,600 Speaker 1: really is a combination of convert stations with our teams 287 00:16:01,920 --> 00:16:05,880 Speaker 1: and with the local public health officials. So, Mark, you know, 288 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:09,800 Speaker 1: what are the interesting elements of this. It feels like, 289 00:16:09,840 --> 00:16:13,520 Speaker 1: at least from a fans perspective, is you are as 290 00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:16,800 Speaker 1: you said right back, at it. You guys were able 291 00:16:16,840 --> 00:16:19,640 Speaker 1: to come to an agreement with the players, with the teams, 292 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:22,680 Speaker 1: with the union to get back on the court before 293 00:16:22,840 --> 00:16:26,000 Speaker 1: the end of the year. Help us understand the business 294 00:16:26,120 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 1: implications of that and why it was important to get 295 00:16:30,320 --> 00:16:35,320 Speaker 1: back on the court before. Yeah, it's a great question, Jason. So, 296 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:39,600 Speaker 1: like I said earlier, we have such a great relationship 297 00:16:39,760 --> 00:16:45,160 Speaker 1: with the Players Association. We have been engaging with them 298 00:16:45,680 --> 00:16:48,800 Speaker 1: on this particular issue and other issues of how to 299 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:52,200 Speaker 1: deal with the impacts of the pandemic on our business. 300 00:16:52,680 --> 00:16:55,760 Speaker 1: Uh starting on March eleven when we suspended the season, 301 00:16:56,040 --> 00:17:01,640 Speaker 1: and from there we have been having conversations with them 302 00:17:01,720 --> 00:17:05,560 Speaker 1: several times a week on the impact that that this 303 00:17:05,720 --> 00:17:07,920 Speaker 1: pandemic has had in our business. And that's how we 304 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:13,080 Speaker 1: collectively came to creating the bubble um this past season, 305 00:17:13,240 --> 00:17:18,959 Speaker 1: which really helped the salvage our business significantly last season. 306 00:17:19,200 --> 00:17:22,760 Speaker 1: And we knew that this upcoming season there would be 307 00:17:23,040 --> 00:17:26,880 Speaker 1: a significant impact. Even at or so of our revenues 308 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:31,480 Speaker 1: comes from fans in arenas, and we knew that early 309 00:17:31,600 --> 00:17:34,320 Speaker 1: on that would be impacted, and so you know, we 310 00:17:34,560 --> 00:17:37,480 Speaker 1: we really had to work together with them to understand 311 00:17:37,560 --> 00:17:41,560 Speaker 1: the business implications and we were able. Obviously, our partnership 312 00:17:41,640 --> 00:17:46,480 Speaker 1: with them is a partnership where we share in basketball 313 00:17:46,520 --> 00:17:49,600 Speaker 1: related income which would be affected this year, and so 314 00:17:49,800 --> 00:17:52,920 Speaker 1: we you know, we had to work out in agreement 315 00:17:52,960 --> 00:17:57,480 Speaker 1: with them to deal with that and make sure that 316 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:04,000 Speaker 1: the parties were you know, receiving each the relevant share 317 00:18:04,280 --> 00:18:08,920 Speaker 1: of the basketball related income UM despite the effects that 318 00:18:09,040 --> 00:18:11,520 Speaker 1: this would have on our business over this year. And 319 00:18:11,680 --> 00:18:14,440 Speaker 1: so that was something that we worked out again with 320 00:18:14,600 --> 00:18:18,359 Speaker 1: the Players Association, and as part of that UM, we 321 00:18:18,560 --> 00:18:22,960 Speaker 1: felt like getting back on the court, uh starting December 322 00:18:23,040 --> 00:18:27,360 Speaker 1: twenty two and playing a seventy two games schedule which 323 00:18:27,359 --> 00:18:31,920 Speaker 1: would allow us to finish our season in July and 324 00:18:32,040 --> 00:18:36,440 Speaker 1: then get us back on a regular cadence, uh, you 325 00:18:36,520 --> 00:18:39,600 Speaker 1: know of October through June, which is when our Stephen 326 00:18:39,680 --> 00:18:42,879 Speaker 1: is generally played, and we thought that was important from 327 00:18:42,880 --> 00:18:46,920 Speaker 1: a business standpoint. From a business perspective, our fans are 328 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:50,000 Speaker 1: accustomed to seeing us on that on that calendar, are 329 00:18:50,080 --> 00:18:53,200 Speaker 1: players are accustomed to playing on that calendar UM, And 330 00:18:53,280 --> 00:18:56,080 Speaker 1: so we were able to work out that agreement with 331 00:18:56,200 --> 00:18:59,520 Speaker 1: the Players Association to start when we when we started 332 00:18:59,560 --> 00:19:03,000 Speaker 1: finished week finished, when we're playing the finish and then 333 00:19:03,080 --> 00:19:06,359 Speaker 1: get back on our regular cads of October threw June 334 00:19:06,560 --> 00:19:09,280 Speaker 1: Mark in that agreement, there's two words that would never 335 00:19:09,400 --> 00:19:11,680 Speaker 1: pass through the lips of a Major League Baseball player 336 00:19:11,840 --> 00:19:15,280 Speaker 1: through the keyboard of any NFL player salary reduction. How 337 00:19:15,359 --> 00:19:18,320 Speaker 1: do you get the players to come out and honestly, goodness? 338 00:19:18,359 --> 00:19:20,960 Speaker 1: I mean, now we've all followed the labor relations with 339 00:19:21,040 --> 00:19:23,680 Speaker 1: those other two sports, but that's a conversation for another time. 340 00:19:24,320 --> 00:19:26,800 Speaker 1: What how how are you able to have the best 341 00:19:26,920 --> 00:19:30,920 Speaker 1: relate business relationship between ownership, league and players compared to 342 00:19:30,960 --> 00:19:33,439 Speaker 1: any anybody else. And don't be modest about this now, 343 00:19:33,520 --> 00:19:37,760 Speaker 1: because it is well, Mike, again, I think it takes two, 344 00:19:37,840 --> 00:19:40,680 Speaker 1: It really takes two and and and again, I think 345 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:45,359 Speaker 1: over the years we've established this trust with the Players 346 00:19:45,440 --> 00:19:49,080 Speaker 1: Association that we truly are partners, and the way that 347 00:19:49,119 --> 00:19:52,360 Speaker 1: our agreement is structured is set up that way where 348 00:19:52,400 --> 00:19:55,359 Speaker 1: we are in essence partners on the revenue. And so 349 00:19:55,880 --> 00:20:01,440 Speaker 1: there is an understanding here that these are usual circumstances 350 00:20:01,720 --> 00:20:05,320 Speaker 1: and that everyone in the world is being affected by this, 351 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:09,760 Speaker 1: and so the players understand that. You know, one of 352 00:20:09,800 --> 00:20:13,080 Speaker 1: the things that we agreed to do here is despite 353 00:20:13,200 --> 00:20:17,040 Speaker 1: the drop, the projected drop in revenues this year, that 354 00:20:17,080 --> 00:20:20,680 Speaker 1: we're gonna keep the salary cap the same um as 355 00:20:20,800 --> 00:20:24,760 Speaker 1: last year, and that and that going forward in future years, 356 00:20:24,840 --> 00:20:28,800 Speaker 1: we're gonna set a minimum um salary cap number so 357 00:20:28,920 --> 00:20:32,320 Speaker 1: that players will continue to be uh, you know, paid 358 00:20:32,359 --> 00:20:36,040 Speaker 1: at that level, so there won't be a precipitous drop um, 359 00:20:36,280 --> 00:20:38,879 Speaker 1: if you will, because of the drop in revenue. And 360 00:20:39,040 --> 00:20:42,320 Speaker 1: so we're going to over time we've worked at in 361 00:20:42,320 --> 00:20:45,000 Speaker 1: agreement with the players where we'll be able to recover 362 00:20:45,640 --> 00:20:48,399 Speaker 1: that money so that neither side is paying more than 363 00:20:48,440 --> 00:20:51,959 Speaker 1: their fair share. So that's a that's a business conversation 364 00:20:52,040 --> 00:20:55,480 Speaker 1: that we've had with them. They it's an understanding of 365 00:20:55,640 --> 00:20:59,200 Speaker 1: each other's businesses and how we're impacted by that um. 366 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:01,960 Speaker 1: And as partners, you know, we're just able to work 367 00:21:02,080 --> 00:21:05,560 Speaker 1: through those issues and have those conversations. And whether it's 368 00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:08,600 Speaker 1: this issue or you know, issues that we've had to 369 00:21:08,680 --> 00:21:10,640 Speaker 1: deal with them in the past, we've always just taken 370 00:21:10,680 --> 00:21:14,520 Speaker 1: that approach of being good listeners, of being open about 371 00:21:14,680 --> 00:21:18,040 Speaker 1: the business and being on the same page with respect 372 00:21:18,119 --> 00:21:21,720 Speaker 1: to how do we continue to grow the business together, 373 00:21:21,880 --> 00:21:24,080 Speaker 1: because if we grow the business and we grow the 374 00:21:24,200 --> 00:21:29,560 Speaker 1: pie um, then everybody wins so mark one stakeholder as 375 00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:31,760 Speaker 1: it were, that we haven't talked as much about, is 376 00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:35,000 Speaker 1: the corporate side of all of this. The sponsors of 377 00:21:35,119 --> 00:21:37,920 Speaker 1: the league. They obviously are a partner in all of 378 00:21:37,960 --> 00:21:40,880 Speaker 1: this as well. You worked in the corporate world, You've 379 00:21:40,920 --> 00:21:45,359 Speaker 1: worked in sports leagues other than the NBA. Given the 380 00:21:45,520 --> 00:21:48,560 Speaker 1: upside down nature of this world we're living in, you know, 381 00:21:48,680 --> 00:21:53,000 Speaker 1: not as many fans in the stands to see advertising, 382 00:21:53,600 --> 00:21:57,360 Speaker 1: different sort of consumption. How does the sort of corporate 383 00:21:57,440 --> 00:22:02,080 Speaker 1: sponsorship of the NBA change? How has it changed? And 384 00:22:02,280 --> 00:22:05,639 Speaker 1: where are we now? Yeah, the corporate partners have been incredible, 385 00:22:05,760 --> 00:22:09,760 Speaker 1: particularly during this time we have worked so closely with them. 386 00:22:10,200 --> 00:22:12,440 Speaker 1: I just going back to the bubble and the fact 387 00:22:12,640 --> 00:22:16,639 Speaker 1: that we created the the Virtual Fan Experience. That was 388 00:22:16,680 --> 00:22:19,399 Speaker 1: a partnership with Microsoft and and part of our new 389 00:22:19,440 --> 00:22:23,080 Speaker 1: partnership with them where we went to them and said, 390 00:22:23,320 --> 00:22:27,640 Speaker 1: how do we come up with an opportunity to give 391 00:22:27,760 --> 00:22:31,840 Speaker 1: fans a chance to experience the n b A in Orlando, 392 00:22:32,840 --> 00:22:35,440 Speaker 1: even though we knew we couldn't they couldn't be there physically, 393 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:38,720 Speaker 1: could we do that virtually? And it was that partnership 394 00:22:39,200 --> 00:22:42,040 Speaker 1: and where we came up with the Microsoft together team's 395 00:22:42,119 --> 00:22:45,240 Speaker 1: mode to be able to implement in that way in 396 00:22:45,359 --> 00:22:48,080 Speaker 1: the arena. You know, a T and T as a partner, 397 00:22:48,320 --> 00:22:51,920 Speaker 1: and with the launch of five G now able to 398 00:22:52,040 --> 00:22:58,040 Speaker 1: do hologram interviews from the bubble was and during the 399 00:22:58,520 --> 00:23:03,119 Speaker 1: NBA Draft was incredible. Um. You know, partners like Gatorade 400 00:23:03,160 --> 00:23:07,000 Speaker 1: who are really focusing on content. They created their own 401 00:23:07,400 --> 00:23:10,600 Speaker 1: hydration trees that you may have seen in the bubble 402 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:14,159 Speaker 1: and now in arenas where instead of people going up 403 00:23:14,200 --> 00:23:17,400 Speaker 1: to the Gatorade cooler, they each have their own individual 404 00:23:17,880 --> 00:23:23,200 Speaker 1: hydration tree next to their individual seat. So again adapting 405 00:23:23,320 --> 00:23:29,000 Speaker 1: to the times and creating solutions for our game for 406 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:32,920 Speaker 1: the time. I also think from a technology standpoint, in 407 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:38,360 Speaker 1: viewership standpoint, our partnership with Chasebook and bringing the virtual 408 00:23:38,440 --> 00:23:41,760 Speaker 1: reality experience to fans. You know, one of the things 409 00:23:41,800 --> 00:23:43,320 Speaker 1: that we were able to do in the Bubble and 410 00:23:43,400 --> 00:23:47,320 Speaker 1: that we'll be able to do um this season with 411 00:23:47,520 --> 00:23:51,080 Speaker 1: fewer fans in the building is create different camera angles, 412 00:23:51,280 --> 00:23:55,359 Speaker 1: different experiences. The rail Camp gave you that court side 413 00:23:55,440 --> 00:23:58,879 Speaker 1: seat experience and that was a partnership of ours with 414 00:23:59,359 --> 00:24:03,720 Speaker 1: Facebook and Oculus, and so those are the same the 415 00:24:03,800 --> 00:24:07,040 Speaker 1: same way that we have this partnership with the Players Association. 416 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:11,479 Speaker 1: We also have these great partnerships with these corporate partners 417 00:24:11,520 --> 00:24:15,640 Speaker 1: and marketing partners, and we generally go to them and say, hey, 418 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:19,800 Speaker 1: here's an issue that we're trying to solve, can you 419 00:24:19,920 --> 00:24:22,560 Speaker 1: help us solve it? And those are how I think 420 00:24:22,600 --> 00:24:25,040 Speaker 1: the best ideas, So those are where the best ideas 421 00:24:25,080 --> 00:24:27,359 Speaker 1: come from. Mark. Did you get any pushback from the 422 00:24:27,400 --> 00:24:30,479 Speaker 1: sponsors when they looked at the ratings of the NBA Finals? 423 00:24:30,560 --> 00:24:33,360 Speaker 1: Obviously they were off for a myriad of of reasons, 424 00:24:33,680 --> 00:24:35,800 Speaker 1: playing in the end of the summer, against Major League 425 00:24:35,800 --> 00:24:37,840 Speaker 1: Baseball and a lot of other factors. Did you get 426 00:24:37,840 --> 00:24:39,760 Speaker 1: any pushback from them when they looked at the numbers? 427 00:24:40,359 --> 00:24:43,159 Speaker 1: Not at all, Not at all. You know, our partners, Um, 428 00:24:43,359 --> 00:24:47,320 Speaker 1: we're not concerned about the ratings. As you said, Mike, 429 00:24:47,440 --> 00:24:50,399 Speaker 1: there was such a multitude of macro issues. You know, 430 00:24:50,480 --> 00:24:53,280 Speaker 1: we were playing in the middle of the summer, displaced 431 00:24:53,320 --> 00:24:57,480 Speaker 1: time of the year. Um, these were suboptimal broadcast windows. 432 00:24:57,600 --> 00:25:00,320 Speaker 1: We were playing in the daytime. Um. You we were 433 00:25:00,440 --> 00:25:04,560 Speaker 1: up against a very crowded sports calendar, and then the 434 00:25:05,200 --> 00:25:08,520 Speaker 1: election and the consumption of news leading up to that. 435 00:25:08,840 --> 00:25:13,000 Speaker 1: What our partners still realize is that our games are 436 00:25:13,440 --> 00:25:18,480 Speaker 1: delivered and continue to deliver the largest audiences in key demographics. 437 00:25:18,600 --> 00:25:21,520 Speaker 1: We were the most viewed program of the night among 438 00:25:21,680 --> 00:25:25,040 Speaker 1: key add demos of the adults eighteen and forty nine 439 00:25:25,119 --> 00:25:27,400 Speaker 1: on thirty of the forty one nights of the playoffs 440 00:25:27,440 --> 00:25:30,080 Speaker 1: and finals, and thirty four of the forty one nights 441 00:25:30,080 --> 00:25:34,400 Speaker 1: among males eighteen and forty nine. So our corporate partners 442 00:25:34,520 --> 00:25:40,600 Speaker 1: understand that we still deliver massive audiences amongst those key demographics. 443 00:25:40,800 --> 00:25:44,480 Speaker 1: And not to mention the enormous popularity on social media, 444 00:25:44,560 --> 00:25:48,479 Speaker 1: we have nearly two billion followers UM and set records 445 00:25:48,520 --> 00:25:52,240 Speaker 1: in terms of social media engagement, and that's where our 446 00:25:52,320 --> 00:25:54,720 Speaker 1: partners have activated with us as well as in that 447 00:25:54,880 --> 00:25:58,280 Speaker 1: digital and social media space. Well, clearly a lot of 448 00:25:58,320 --> 00:26:03,800 Speaker 1: the attention this mur ahead of the restart and during 449 00:26:04,080 --> 00:26:07,400 Speaker 1: the restart in the bubble was around social justice. Let's 450 00:26:07,400 --> 00:26:10,840 Speaker 1: listen a bit to what your boss Adam Silver had 451 00:26:10,920 --> 00:26:13,880 Speaker 1: to say about player empowerment. Players know in the NBA 452 00:26:13,960 --> 00:26:16,720 Speaker 1: community knows there's there's a long history in this league 453 00:26:17,520 --> 00:26:22,239 Speaker 1: of fighting for social justice, for racial equality, and um 454 00:26:22,400 --> 00:26:26,119 Speaker 1: it seemed appropriate, So it seemed appropriate, and it clearly 455 00:26:26,400 --> 00:26:28,040 Speaker 1: I think it's appropriate for us to talk about the 456 00:26:28,119 --> 00:26:29,800 Speaker 1: fact and all sort of echoes something that Lynch he 457 00:26:29,880 --> 00:26:34,119 Speaker 1: said earlier. Uh, it is indisputable that player empowerment is 458 00:26:34,320 --> 00:26:38,080 Speaker 1: more welcomed, it feels like, uh, in the NBA than 459 00:26:38,160 --> 00:26:41,400 Speaker 1: it is in other leagues. There's a comfort level uh 460 00:26:41,560 --> 00:26:46,639 Speaker 1: there that exists. Tell us about that aspect, especially in 461 00:26:46,720 --> 00:26:50,840 Speaker 1: the bubble, because there were some tense moments, uh, you know, 462 00:26:50,960 --> 00:26:54,120 Speaker 1: the Milwaukee Bucks and the rest of the team's essentially 463 00:26:54,200 --> 00:26:57,080 Speaker 1: walking off the court, not essentially walking off the court 464 00:26:57,640 --> 00:27:02,880 Speaker 1: negotiations about coming back. Help us understand what that was like. Mark, Yeah, well, 465 00:27:03,280 --> 00:27:05,680 Speaker 1: you know, they they didn't walk off the court. They 466 00:27:05,800 --> 00:27:07,920 Speaker 1: never came out. They never came out the court for 467 00:27:08,040 --> 00:27:11,359 Speaker 1: the game exactly. And you know, and I have to 468 00:27:11,440 --> 00:27:15,399 Speaker 1: tell you again the relationship that we have had with 469 00:27:15,600 --> 00:27:19,960 Speaker 1: the Players Association and the players during that time, UM 470 00:27:20,400 --> 00:27:23,800 Speaker 1: was so helpful. We when we went into the bubble, 471 00:27:24,280 --> 00:27:27,879 Speaker 1: we collectively with the Players Association and our Board of 472 00:27:27,960 --> 00:27:33,639 Speaker 1: Governors agreed that one of the primary functions of of 473 00:27:34,040 --> 00:27:37,200 Speaker 1: of the bubble was one keeping everybody healthy and safe, 474 00:27:37,280 --> 00:27:41,640 Speaker 1: but also to ensure that the conversation would keep going 475 00:27:41,920 --> 00:27:45,880 Speaker 1: on the fight for social justice and racial equality and UM, 476 00:27:46,000 --> 00:27:50,439 Speaker 1: and those conversations continued every single day throughout the bubble, 477 00:27:50,600 --> 00:27:54,840 Speaker 1: and following Milwaukee's decision not to play, we had very 478 00:27:54,960 --> 00:27:59,840 Speaker 1: candid and productive conversations with our players, with our coaches, 479 00:28:00,160 --> 00:28:03,320 Speaker 1: and with our team governors. UM, how about how to 480 00:28:03,520 --> 00:28:08,080 Speaker 1: further are collective efforts and actions in support of social 481 00:28:08,160 --> 00:28:11,000 Speaker 1: justice and racial equality. And so, coming out of that 482 00:28:11,920 --> 00:28:16,840 Speaker 1: those series of conversations UM a day after the Milwaukee 483 00:28:16,920 --> 00:28:19,760 Speaker 1: Bucks decided not to come out is we established this 484 00:28:20,160 --> 00:28:23,840 Speaker 1: social justice coalition, and we agreed that we agreed to 485 00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:27,399 Speaker 1: establish a social justice coalition that would be focused on 486 00:28:27,600 --> 00:28:32,200 Speaker 1: increasing access to voting, promoting civic engagement, and advocating for 487 00:28:32,320 --> 00:28:35,639 Speaker 1: meaningful police and criminal justice reform. And so we wanted 488 00:28:35,680 --> 00:28:42,600 Speaker 1: to UM convert that feeling that our players, in our coaches, 489 00:28:42,680 --> 00:28:46,520 Speaker 1: and the league had into action. UM. And as you 490 00:28:46,760 --> 00:28:52,480 Speaker 1: all recall, twenty three of our arenas UM turned their 491 00:28:52,520 --> 00:28:56,840 Speaker 1: arenas into polling locations for the general election to allow 492 00:28:56,920 --> 00:29:00,760 Speaker 1: for a safe in person voting option. We created advertising 493 00:29:00,840 --> 00:29:05,400 Speaker 1: spots during playoff games dedicates promoting greater cecivic engagement and 494 00:29:05,520 --> 00:29:09,320 Speaker 1: raising awareness around voter access and the opportunity. We work 495 00:29:09,440 --> 00:29:14,480 Speaker 1: with several not for profit nonpartisan voting organizations to sign 496 00:29:14,600 --> 00:29:18,760 Speaker 1: up first time poll workers UM and and and really 497 00:29:19,240 --> 00:29:22,720 Speaker 1: encourage people to engage in their civic duty to vote 498 00:29:23,080 --> 00:29:27,440 Speaker 1: and UM and you know, now, UH that coupled with 499 00:29:27,520 --> 00:29:31,760 Speaker 1: the establishment of the NBA Foundation three million dollar commitment 500 00:29:31,840 --> 00:29:35,760 Speaker 1: over ten years to create greater economic opportunity and career 501 00:29:35,800 --> 00:29:38,600 Speaker 1: advancement in the black community. You know, those are the 502 00:29:38,760 --> 00:29:44,040 Speaker 1: things that our players the league collectively have come together 503 00:29:44,160 --> 00:29:47,000 Speaker 1: on to say, here's how we're going to continue the 504 00:29:47,160 --> 00:29:51,080 Speaker 1: fight for social justice in this country. Mark Well, the 505 00:29:51,640 --> 00:29:54,200 Speaker 1: the the messages for social issues like names on the 506 00:29:54,240 --> 00:29:57,320 Speaker 1: back of Jersey's UH signage on the on the floor, 507 00:29:57,440 --> 00:30:01,240 Speaker 1: on the court. Will that continue in the twenty one season? 508 00:30:02,000 --> 00:30:05,840 Speaker 1: You know, I think this summer Mike was an extraordinary 509 00:30:06,160 --> 00:30:10,160 Speaker 1: moment in time and in my expectation is that those 510 00:30:10,280 --> 00:30:13,760 Speaker 1: messages will largely be left to belivered off the court 511 00:30:13,880 --> 00:30:17,680 Speaker 1: this season, UM, through the NBA Foundation, through the Social 512 00:30:17,760 --> 00:30:21,360 Speaker 1: Justice Coalition. UM. You know, those I think are the 513 00:30:21,600 --> 00:30:25,920 Speaker 1: vehicles by which the players the league now are starting 514 00:30:26,000 --> 00:30:32,120 Speaker 1: to UM organize and our actions around to affect change 515 00:30:32,160 --> 00:30:35,240 Speaker 1: in that area. And you know, Mark, I have to 516 00:30:35,320 --> 00:30:38,880 Speaker 1: ask you if if you'll indulge me a bit sort 517 00:30:38,920 --> 00:30:41,520 Speaker 1: of what this what this year has been like for you? 518 00:30:41,920 --> 00:30:45,640 Speaker 1: Sort of witnessing all of this upheaval from a very 519 00:30:45,720 --> 00:30:49,720 Speaker 1: senior level, Uh, you know, looking at a league that 520 00:30:50,080 --> 00:30:52,880 Speaker 1: has embraced player empowerment. I know a lot of people 521 00:30:52,920 --> 00:30:55,880 Speaker 1: have looked to you for a leadership. I would love 522 00:30:55,920 --> 00:30:59,600 Speaker 1: to know you know how you sort of end looking 523 00:30:59,680 --> 00:31:02,600 Speaker 1: back and all the upheaval to say the least that 524 00:31:02,760 --> 00:31:06,760 Speaker 1: that we've seen. Yeah, it's been an extraordinary year, Jason, 525 00:31:07,160 --> 00:31:10,200 Speaker 1: And like I said, it was the longest year, the 526 00:31:10,320 --> 00:31:13,640 Speaker 1: longest season, and be a history. Um. You know, we 527 00:31:13,880 --> 00:31:17,320 Speaker 1: obviously had to deal with more than our fair share 528 00:31:17,480 --> 00:31:22,640 Speaker 1: of challenges and even going back to UM the passing 529 00:31:22,720 --> 00:31:25,320 Speaker 1: of David Stern, the passing of Kobe Bryant, which happened 530 00:31:25,360 --> 00:31:28,040 Speaker 1: in this calendar year, the dealing with the pandemic, dealing 531 00:31:28,120 --> 00:31:32,600 Speaker 1: with the social um justice and unrest issues in this country. 532 00:31:32,720 --> 00:31:36,600 Speaker 1: So it's been a challenging year. What I'd say, um, 533 00:31:36,880 --> 00:31:40,120 Speaker 1: I've been proud of is the way that our league 534 00:31:40,160 --> 00:31:46,240 Speaker 1: collective lead the players, the coaches, are governors. Everyone really 535 00:31:46,600 --> 00:31:50,360 Speaker 1: came together this year and rallied around the things that 536 00:31:50,560 --> 00:31:55,080 Speaker 1: mattered most to really make a difference and you know, 537 00:31:55,240 --> 00:31:59,360 Speaker 1: whether it was early on and having our players do 538 00:31:59,560 --> 00:32:04,080 Speaker 1: PS days to educate people on the significance of this 539 00:32:04,480 --> 00:32:07,760 Speaker 1: virus and how to prevent the spread of it. Right, 540 00:32:07,840 --> 00:32:09,840 Speaker 1: we did early p s A s with our players 541 00:32:09,920 --> 00:32:12,920 Speaker 1: on the importance of wearing masks and washing hands and 542 00:32:13,120 --> 00:32:16,960 Speaker 1: socially socially distancing. I think that made a difference in 543 00:32:17,520 --> 00:32:21,960 Speaker 1: potentially saving lives. And you know, and to to creating 544 00:32:22,000 --> 00:32:25,480 Speaker 1: the bubble and being able to demonstrate how to operate 545 00:32:26,240 --> 00:32:30,680 Speaker 1: successfully in a pandemic. I think these are all lessons. 546 00:32:30,720 --> 00:32:34,200 Speaker 1: And then and then of course, you know, encouraging people 547 00:32:34,440 --> 00:32:39,040 Speaker 1: to fight for racial quality and social justice, um in 548 00:32:39,440 --> 00:32:42,040 Speaker 1: our players in the league playing a leadership role in that. 549 00:32:42,440 --> 00:32:46,480 Speaker 1: I think I look back and i'm I'm I'm extraordinarily 550 00:32:46,640 --> 00:32:49,960 Speaker 1: hopeful about the future and proud of our league for 551 00:32:50,200 --> 00:32:53,480 Speaker 1: the role that we played over this past year. Well, 552 00:32:53,520 --> 00:32:56,560 Speaker 1: there's no question you guys have been leaders in in 553 00:32:57,400 --> 00:33:00,520 Speaker 1: so many different areas that we've discussed during this conversation 554 00:33:00,680 --> 00:33:04,120 Speaker 1: right here. Um My, my final h question to you 555 00:33:04,320 --> 00:33:07,800 Speaker 1: is have you built in dates in the schedule should 556 00:33:08,320 --> 00:33:10,640 Speaker 1: some players a number of players test positive and they 557 00:33:10,640 --> 00:33:13,400 Speaker 1: can't feel the team that they could make up the game, UM, 558 00:33:13,760 --> 00:33:16,480 Speaker 1: like baseball did, uh and like football has had to 559 00:33:16,560 --> 00:33:20,120 Speaker 1: do on Tuesday and Wednesday night games. Yeah. No, thank 560 00:33:20,200 --> 00:33:23,240 Speaker 1: thank you for that question, Mike. We you your earlier 561 00:33:23,320 --> 00:33:26,120 Speaker 1: question when you ask what what did you learn from 562 00:33:26,760 --> 00:33:28,920 Speaker 1: baseball and football? That that is one of the things 563 00:33:29,240 --> 00:33:32,320 Speaker 1: with the uncertainty round of virus. We recognize that we 564 00:33:32,400 --> 00:33:35,000 Speaker 1: may be forced to postpone or canceled games, and so 565 00:33:35,160 --> 00:33:39,040 Speaker 1: we actually built in flexibility into our schedule and we're 566 00:33:39,080 --> 00:33:41,240 Speaker 1: prepared to adjust that as we go. So one of 567 00:33:41,280 --> 00:33:44,040 Speaker 1: the things that we have never done before is we 568 00:33:44,360 --> 00:33:48,760 Speaker 1: announced the first half of the one regular season schedule, 569 00:33:49,240 --> 00:33:53,040 Speaker 1: which would be starting December and going through March fourth. 570 00:33:53,840 --> 00:33:56,560 Speaker 1: The second half of the schedule won't be released until 571 00:33:57,040 --> 00:33:59,200 Speaker 1: later in the first half, which will allow us to 572 00:33:59,320 --> 00:34:03,560 Speaker 1: make up any necessary games that maybe postpone UM and 573 00:34:03,720 --> 00:34:07,120 Speaker 1: and give us some flexibility there. So that is one 574 00:34:07,160 --> 00:34:09,759 Speaker 1: of the things that we certainly learned, UM, and we've 575 00:34:09,760 --> 00:34:13,759 Speaker 1: built in that flexibility. We're also, by the way, you know, UM, 576 00:34:14,120 --> 00:34:17,600 Speaker 1: cutting back on the amount of travel by some cent 577 00:34:17,760 --> 00:34:21,800 Speaker 1: or so by having teams, for example, go into a 578 00:34:21,960 --> 00:34:26,000 Speaker 1: city and instead of going into New York for example, 579 00:34:26,040 --> 00:34:28,239 Speaker 1: and just playing the Knicks are just playing the Nets 580 00:34:29,000 --> 00:34:31,600 Speaker 1: wherever possible. We're going to keep that team in that 581 00:34:31,760 --> 00:34:34,920 Speaker 1: city where they can actually play the Knicks and the 582 00:34:35,040 --> 00:34:39,160 Speaker 1: Nets um in a in a either back to back 583 00:34:39,320 --> 00:34:42,520 Speaker 1: or in you know, in in that week. Um, same 584 00:34:42,560 --> 00:34:44,359 Speaker 1: thing when teams go to l A. So we're really 585 00:34:44,400 --> 00:34:48,799 Speaker 1: trying to minimize the city the city travel as well, UM, 586 00:34:49,200 --> 00:34:51,919 Speaker 1: and that's gonna, I think, be one of the things 587 00:34:52,040 --> 00:34:57,279 Speaker 1: that uh, you know, helps us minimize the risk associated 588 00:34:57,280 --> 00:34:59,920 Speaker 1: with this virus. Mark Tatum, You've been very very good 589 00:35:00,080 --> 00:35:02,160 Speaker 1: us with your time. We really appreciate. We know it's 590 00:35:02,239 --> 00:35:07,640 Speaker 1: incredibly busy. NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum joining us ahead 591 00:35:07,880 --> 00:35:11,719 Speaker 1: of that Tuesday Deceper twenty two tip off, a double 592 00:35:11,760 --> 00:35:14,800 Speaker 1: header on T and T the Nets and the Warriors 593 00:35:15,120 --> 00:35:18,080 Speaker 1: and the Lakers and the Clippers. It all starts at 594 00:35:18,160 --> 00:35:20,640 Speaker 1: seven pm. Best of luck to you, Mark. We know 595 00:35:20,840 --> 00:35:23,960 Speaker 1: it's a long road ahead, but definitely rooting for the 596 00:35:24,080 --> 00:35:26,359 Speaker 1: NBA here. Thank you guys. It was a pleasure being 597 00:35:26,440 --> 00:35:29,840 Speaker 1: with you, and thank you so much so. Lynchy obviously, 598 00:35:29,960 --> 00:35:32,880 Speaker 1: very interesting conversation there with Mark Tatum. Very much on 599 00:35:32,960 --> 00:35:35,640 Speaker 1: the front lines to say the least. You know, it's 600 00:35:35,680 --> 00:35:38,880 Speaker 1: interesting when we talked to somebody from the n b A. 601 00:35:39,560 --> 00:35:41,920 Speaker 1: Sometimes I feel like I myself at least some sort 602 00:35:41,920 --> 00:35:43,960 Speaker 1: of overdoing it when I say, you know, you guys 603 00:35:44,000 --> 00:35:45,200 Speaker 1: do a good job with this, you do a good 604 00:35:45,239 --> 00:35:46,680 Speaker 1: job with that. But the fact of the matter is 605 00:35:47,080 --> 00:35:49,920 Speaker 1: they do stand out from the other professional leagues in 606 00:35:50,080 --> 00:35:54,480 Speaker 1: terms of player relations, owner relations, sort of low drama 607 00:35:54,680 --> 00:35:58,120 Speaker 1: like all of it, even at at a time when 608 00:35:58,680 --> 00:36:01,560 Speaker 1: clearly their players are out there on social justice, they're 609 00:36:01,600 --> 00:36:05,520 Speaker 1: out there on social media. I still haven't figured out 610 00:36:05,640 --> 00:36:09,239 Speaker 1: what the secret sauces, but there there you have it. 611 00:36:09,280 --> 00:36:11,360 Speaker 1: I don't I don't know what you think. Well, I 612 00:36:11,440 --> 00:36:13,680 Speaker 1: think one word seems to come to the surface whenever 613 00:36:13,760 --> 00:36:16,359 Speaker 1: we're talking about why that their relationship is the best 614 00:36:16,480 --> 00:36:19,320 Speaker 1: of all the major sports organizations. And the word is 615 00:36:19,400 --> 00:36:22,640 Speaker 1: trust and and and Mark actually used that, but when 616 00:36:22,680 --> 00:36:26,279 Speaker 1: he talked about the UH, the the salary reduction UH 617 00:36:26,400 --> 00:36:28,160 Speaker 1: and the b r I, which is a term I 618 00:36:28,280 --> 00:36:33,000 Speaker 1: never knew before Basketball related income and trust is big. 619 00:36:33,160 --> 00:36:36,440 Speaker 1: And they know that the NBA owners and the league 620 00:36:36,520 --> 00:36:40,120 Speaker 1: has their back. Um that the Milwaukee Bucks knew that 621 00:36:40,239 --> 00:36:43,080 Speaker 1: they would get support from the league and the ownership 622 00:36:43,080 --> 00:36:45,480 Speaker 1: when they decided not to come out for their playoff game, 623 00:36:45,880 --> 00:36:47,239 Speaker 1: And I don't know if you can say the same 624 00:36:47,320 --> 00:36:49,040 Speaker 1: for the other major leagues. I mean, you know, the 625 00:36:49,040 --> 00:36:51,040 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh Steelers didn't want to come out for a game 626 00:36:51,080 --> 00:36:52,719 Speaker 1: when they forfeit the game. I don't know if they 627 00:36:52,760 --> 00:36:56,120 Speaker 1: trust the the shield like that, like the NBA players 628 00:36:56,160 --> 00:37:00,880 Speaker 1: trust the NBA. Yeah, I mean, clearly Adam still, Mark Tatum, 629 00:37:00,920 --> 00:37:04,040 Speaker 1: the rest of the leadership there, they you know, obviously 630 00:37:04,120 --> 00:37:06,520 Speaker 1: have earned the trust. I mean I also do think 631 00:37:06,560 --> 00:37:08,040 Speaker 1: about and I think you and I have talked about 632 00:37:08,080 --> 00:37:10,960 Speaker 1: this before. It's a different I don't know if it's 633 00:37:10,960 --> 00:37:14,600 Speaker 1: a different caliber, but a different ownership approach. It feels 634 00:37:14,680 --> 00:37:18,600 Speaker 1: like has taken over in the NBA. You've got some younger, 635 00:37:18,800 --> 00:37:23,560 Speaker 1: maybe more business minded, maybe more forward thinking owners than 636 00:37:23,640 --> 00:37:25,399 Speaker 1: you do in some of the other leagues as well. 637 00:37:25,600 --> 00:37:29,320 Speaker 1: Clearly that's that's a part of it, and they've managed 638 00:37:29,400 --> 00:37:32,240 Speaker 1: to sort of figure out these relationships. Chris Paul obviously 639 00:37:32,280 --> 00:37:34,840 Speaker 1: gets a lot of credit. Michelle Roberts as well on 640 00:37:34,960 --> 00:37:38,359 Speaker 1: the player and the union side. So interesting to watch. 641 00:37:39,160 --> 00:37:42,080 Speaker 1: A bubble is one thing, going back home and traveling 642 00:37:42,120 --> 00:37:44,279 Speaker 1: and all that, we know it is going to be 643 00:37:44,360 --> 00:37:46,520 Speaker 1: a lot trickier. I was glad that we did talk about, 644 00:37:46,920 --> 00:37:49,640 Speaker 1: uh per your last question there what they're doing to 645 00:37:49,880 --> 00:37:51,759 Speaker 1: provide a little bit of flex. And so we don't 646 00:37:51,800 --> 00:37:53,440 Speaker 1: know what the second half of the season is going 647 00:37:53,520 --> 00:37:55,319 Speaker 1: to be like. Listen, we don't know what next week 648 00:37:55,440 --> 00:37:57,000 Speaker 1: is going to be like in this world we're living in, 649 00:37:57,200 --> 00:38:00,759 Speaker 1: so interesting always to to been some time with him. 650 00:38:00,840 --> 00:38:03,240 Speaker 1: We will be interesting about the NBA's they usually dressed 651 00:38:03,280 --> 00:38:05,360 Speaker 1: twelve guys for a game, as opposed to the NFL 652 00:38:05,440 --> 00:38:08,399 Speaker 1: we have fifty three and the Major League Baseball, where 653 00:38:08,400 --> 00:38:10,280 Speaker 1: you've got twenty five and you had a taxi squad. 654 00:38:11,239 --> 00:38:13,080 Speaker 1: So they could afford to have a few people test 655 00:38:13,160 --> 00:38:16,120 Speaker 1: positive and schedule their games. The NBA doesn't really have 656 00:38:16,239 --> 00:38:20,439 Speaker 1: that wiggle room roster wise. Yeah. Absolutely, Well, we'll see 657 00:38:20,560 --> 00:38:25,239 Speaker 1: what the season holds because it's starting on the twenty an. 658 00:38:25,280 --> 00:38:28,279 Speaker 1: I do think back to last season, which feels like 659 00:38:29,040 --> 00:38:31,000 Speaker 1: a long time ago, the beginning of last season, which 660 00:38:31,040 --> 00:38:34,320 Speaker 1: actually started last sector. I remember being in Los Angeles 661 00:38:34,480 --> 00:38:37,680 Speaker 1: for that game between the Lakers and the Clippers, and 662 00:38:37,880 --> 00:38:39,879 Speaker 1: if you were called this is funny to remember given 663 00:38:39,880 --> 00:38:43,000 Speaker 1: how it all turned out. The Clippers really beat the 664 00:38:43,040 --> 00:38:45,360 Speaker 1: heck out of the Lakers in that opening game, and 665 00:38:45,880 --> 00:38:49,080 Speaker 1: obviously the Lakers ended up having the last laugh over 666 00:38:49,120 --> 00:38:52,839 Speaker 1: their hometown rival and everyone else for that matter. All right, 667 00:38:52,840 --> 00:38:55,000 Speaker 1: you've been listening to Blueberg Business of Sports. We're here 668 00:38:55,040 --> 00:38:57,200 Speaker 1: each and every week at the same time, plus online 669 00:38:57,239 --> 00:39:00,239 Speaker 1: wherever you get your podcast. Catch those Mondays, wednesday days, 670 00:39:00,280 --> 00:39:03,680 Speaker 1: and Thursdays. In the meantime. If you're headed over to Twitter, 671 00:39:03,840 --> 00:39:06,640 Speaker 1: find me Jason Kelly at Jason Kelly News. You know 672 00:39:06,800 --> 00:39:09,440 Speaker 1: Mike Lynch, You can follow me at Lynch e w CVB. 673 00:39:09,640 --> 00:39:12,480 Speaker 1: You've been listening to Bloomberg Business of Sports from Bloomberg 674 00:39:12,560 --> 00:39:13,799 Speaker 1: Radio around the world.