1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,360 Speaker 1: Hi, I'm Michael Blon and I'm Scott Sasnik. On this 2 00:00:02,480 --> 00:00:05,000 Speaker 1: edition of Bloomberg Business of Sports, we explore the big 3 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:08,000 Speaker 1: money issues in the world of sports. This week, former 4 00:00:08,080 --> 00:00:11,159 Speaker 1: college and NBA star Grand Hill joins us and the 5 00:00:11,200 --> 00:00:14,640 Speaker 1: topic of the twenties seventeen NBA champions, The Golden State 6 00:00:14,640 --> 00:00:17,360 Speaker 1: Warriors came up. They have a chance to be a 7 00:00:17,480 --> 00:00:20,480 Speaker 1: champion here for the next I think five to seven years. 8 00:00:20,720 --> 00:00:24,360 Speaker 1: That's their window of opportunity. Uh and um, you know 9 00:00:24,400 --> 00:00:26,440 Speaker 1: it's it's pretty scary for the rest of the NBA. 10 00:00:26,800 --> 00:00:29,160 Speaker 1: We will bring you our interview with grand Hill in 11 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:32,000 Speaker 1: a few minutes, but first let's pick up on what 12 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:34,800 Speaker 1: grand Hill touched on as we look at the top 13 00:00:34,840 --> 00:00:38,280 Speaker 1: business of Sports stories of the week. The Golden State 14 00:00:38,280 --> 00:00:42,400 Speaker 1: Warriors are champions again. Yeah, and it's really a business story, Michael, 15 00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:45,120 Speaker 1: just like a basketball story. It was their second title 16 00:00:45,159 --> 00:00:48,640 Speaker 1: in three years over the Cavaliers. We spoke with Golden 17 00:00:48,680 --> 00:00:51,200 Speaker 1: State owner Joe lake Up last month on Bloomberg Business 18 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:54,160 Speaker 1: of Sports about how important the business community is and 19 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:59,080 Speaker 1: attracting players like NBA finals MVPs Kevin Durant and Andre 20 00:00:59,160 --> 00:01:02,960 Speaker 1: Iguadalan think they recognize this opportunity. Silicon Valley is a 21 00:01:03,040 --> 00:01:06,240 Speaker 1: rather amazing place, and there's a lot of opportunity and 22 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:09,880 Speaker 1: a lot of potential for investing and and doing good 23 00:01:09,880 --> 00:01:12,600 Speaker 1: and making money in in the technology world if you're 24 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:15,520 Speaker 1: around here, and it might not be that case somewhere else. 25 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:18,000 Speaker 1: So I think he recognizes that. I think it's a 26 00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:20,839 Speaker 1: reason potentially for someone want to be here. I also 27 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:22,679 Speaker 1: want to be at an organization where they can win. 28 00:01:22,800 --> 00:01:25,200 Speaker 1: I don't don't. Let's not sell that short and we 29 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:28,800 Speaker 1: try to sell that opportunity obviously as well. This team 30 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:32,000 Speaker 1: is gold because I can't see anybody beating this team 31 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:34,880 Speaker 1: in the next few years. Well, things change quickly, who knows. 32 00:01:34,920 --> 00:01:37,080 Speaker 1: But they're certainly set up right. But they have to 33 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:40,240 Speaker 1: keep it together and that's going to be a challenge. 34 00:01:40,240 --> 00:01:42,280 Speaker 1: I mean, Lacob is going to spend the money. The 35 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:44,880 Speaker 1: math has been done over the next four years. If 36 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:47,640 Speaker 1: STEPH re ups and KD re ups, if you're all in, 37 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:50,400 Speaker 1: if they want this team at its core to stay together, 38 00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:55,320 Speaker 1: you're looking at one point four billion dollars in salary 39 00:01:55,400 --> 00:01:58,560 Speaker 1: to keep this nucleus together. Some will spend it, some won't. 40 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:02,360 Speaker 1: This group will What about the Cavaliers. They've been there 41 00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:04,520 Speaker 1: three years in a row. They won one out of 42 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:06,800 Speaker 1: the three. But what do you do with the Cavaliers? 43 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 1: Scratch your head and you wonder did I do this 44 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:12,680 Speaker 1: the right way? Lebron never saw this coming. Let's face it. 45 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:15,800 Speaker 1: They won last year the calf so it legitimized everything. 46 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:18,560 Speaker 1: It justified his going back, and they did it. But 47 00:02:18,880 --> 00:02:23,560 Speaker 1: if Draymondreen doesn't get suspended, perhaps you're looking at Golden 48 00:02:23,639 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 1: State winning again. And then if you're Lebron, you're scratching 49 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:30,399 Speaker 1: your head. What do I do? I made my move back. 50 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:32,520 Speaker 1: I said, it's all about Cleveland. I still haven't won. 51 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:36,400 Speaker 1: Now I'm stuck. But he did get that title back 52 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:39,240 Speaker 1: to Cleveland. You want to make people mad, who's the 53 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:44,520 Speaker 1: best player, Lebron James or Michael Jordan's Are you asking 54 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:48,040 Speaker 1: me or I'm going to ask you this. I watched 55 00:02:48,160 --> 00:02:52,200 Speaker 1: Michael courtside. I saw him hit those shots. I saw 56 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:57,320 Speaker 1: all of those championships. For me, Michael is as good 57 00:02:57,360 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 1: as it will ever be. Now here's the Devil's advocate 58 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:06,200 Speaker 1: coming here. Yes, Michael won all six of the times 59 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:09,320 Speaker 1: that he appeared in the title games and win the 60 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:15,600 Speaker 1: championship six times, no losses. Lebron James three and five, 61 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:19,120 Speaker 1: but he was there eight times. I was there also 62 00:03:19,360 --> 00:03:24,280 Speaker 1: when Lebron on a Cleveland team whose second best player 63 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:28,840 Speaker 1: might have been Anderson Veri Jal that one made the championship. 64 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:31,600 Speaker 1: So I was watching courtside as Lebron was. And this 65 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 1: is not an insult to his teammates, but he's playing 66 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:37,920 Speaker 1: one on five against the San Antonio Spurs or whoever. 67 00:03:37,960 --> 00:03:40,640 Speaker 1: It was just the fact that he has been able 68 00:03:40,680 --> 00:03:45,280 Speaker 1: to single handedly dragged teams to that level speaks volumes, 69 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:47,240 Speaker 1: and it's why you even ask the question in the 70 00:03:47,240 --> 00:03:50,760 Speaker 1: first place. Another story we are following this week big 71 00:03:50,840 --> 00:03:55,480 Speaker 1: fight in August, Floyd Mayweather versus Connor McGregor. Are we 72 00:03:55,560 --> 00:03:58,680 Speaker 1: this desperate for entertainment? Michael mart This is this is 73 00:03:58,760 --> 00:04:03,120 Speaker 1: what I ask you. Are we this desperate? Forever? Is 74 00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:06,800 Speaker 1: Connor McGregor a boxer? Are you saying this is gonna 75 00:04:06,840 --> 00:04:10,400 Speaker 1: be a lot like the Mayweather pakil fighting? At least 76 00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:15,000 Speaker 1: I had a boxer against a boxer this and there's 77 00:04:15,040 --> 00:04:19,240 Speaker 1: no kicking, there's no doubt on the ground wrestling. This 78 00:04:19,360 --> 00:04:23,720 Speaker 1: is a man who has spent his life perfecting the 79 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:29,880 Speaker 1: craft of boxing, going against another guy. While a master 80 00:04:30,040 --> 00:04:34,279 Speaker 1: of promotion, I'll give him that. Connor McGregor a masterful promoter. 81 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:39,160 Speaker 1: I haven't seen one since Don King, but he's just 82 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:42,120 Speaker 1: not at the skill level of Floyd Mayweather. I'm just 83 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:45,360 Speaker 1: I'm just wondering what we're going to see. To give 84 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:49,280 Speaker 1: you an idea. The Mayweather fight against Manny Pacquio, it 85 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:53,200 Speaker 1: costs between ninety and one to watch on pay per view, 86 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:57,080 Speaker 1: and it drew and estimated at four point four million viewers. Overall, 87 00:04:57,200 --> 00:05:00,320 Speaker 1: it generated close to six hundred million dollars in revenue. 88 00:05:00,360 --> 00:05:03,840 Speaker 1: That's according to ESPN. What will this generate? Yeah, I'm 89 00:05:03,839 --> 00:05:05,800 Speaker 1: guessing this is gonna be close. Let's look at the 90 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:09,600 Speaker 1: major parts. Obviously, the number one, as we always say, 91 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:12,240 Speaker 1: the number one revenue shame is the media. This is 92 00:05:12,279 --> 00:05:16,120 Speaker 1: going to do five million dollars. But let's look at 93 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:18,880 Speaker 1: on a global scale, what will the stream cost? How 94 00:05:18,880 --> 00:05:20,720 Speaker 1: many people will buy this in Asia? I don't know 95 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:23,840 Speaker 1: it could top five millions, but you throw merch and 96 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:26,760 Speaker 1: the betting and the tickets, this is gonna be on 97 00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:29,640 Speaker 1: par with that fight. And our last story, we'll talk 98 00:05:29,640 --> 00:05:32,800 Speaker 1: about women's pay when it comes to golf, and it's 99 00:05:32,800 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 1: not on par with the men's as the US Open 100 00:05:36,279 --> 00:05:38,960 Speaker 1: Championship takes place. Well, we've seen this time and time again. 101 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:41,880 Speaker 1: It's now on par. When we talked about tennis, the 102 00:05:42,040 --> 00:05:45,760 Speaker 1: question is do you pay the men and the women 103 00:05:45,880 --> 00:05:50,960 Speaker 1: the same amount? No matter what or many times organizers 104 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:53,440 Speaker 1: will say, and we heard this fight from the women's 105 00:05:53,480 --> 00:05:59,040 Speaker 1: soccer team from US Soccer that the men generate so 106 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:04,440 Speaker 1: much more avenue that is why they get paid more. Clearly, 107 00:06:04,480 --> 00:06:08,479 Speaker 1: when we're talking about golf, men's golf generates way more 108 00:06:08,520 --> 00:06:11,320 Speaker 1: money than women's golf. Not true of tennis. From the 109 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:14,680 Speaker 1: money and a golf to now a former NBA star 110 00:06:14,920 --> 00:06:19,000 Speaker 1: and also a star at Duke University, Michael, we're talking 111 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:21,919 Speaker 1: about Grant Hill, who is now also one of the 112 00:06:21,920 --> 00:06:23,960 Speaker 1: owners of the Atlanta Hawks. Why don't we start with 113 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:26,279 Speaker 1: the Golden State Warriors, just because the series just ended 114 00:06:26,320 --> 00:06:28,440 Speaker 1: and everybody's talking about Golden State, let's stick on the 115 00:06:28,440 --> 00:06:31,160 Speaker 1: basketball side of things. I'm sure you saw where Joe 116 00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:33,560 Speaker 1: Lacob said way back when last year, like we do 117 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:37,000 Speaker 1: things better than everybody else. Do the Golden State Warriors 118 00:06:37,080 --> 00:06:42,360 Speaker 1: do things better than everybody else? Yeah, that was an 119 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:45,320 Speaker 1: interesting quote that I did read in the New York 120 00:06:45,360 --> 00:06:49,360 Speaker 1: Times from Joel Lacob. You know, I think the reality is, 121 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:51,960 Speaker 1: like I know Rick Welts very well, who is the 122 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:55,520 Speaker 1: CEO of the Golden State Warriors. Uh. He was in 123 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:57,480 Speaker 1: Phoenix when I was there, so I have a very 124 00:06:57,480 --> 00:07:01,679 Speaker 1: good relationship. He started off at the league many years ago. 125 00:07:02,520 --> 00:07:06,359 Speaker 1: So on the business side, Uh, he's an exceptional leader. 126 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:10,400 Speaker 1: And then Bob Meyers Steve Kerr the leadership on the 127 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:14,640 Speaker 1: basketball operation side. Uh, it's certainly top notch as well. 128 00:07:14,720 --> 00:07:17,000 Speaker 1: I know Curve very well from playing against him. He 129 00:07:17,080 --> 00:07:20,400 Speaker 1: was my general manager in Phoenix as well. But the 130 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 1: bottom line is they have superior talent and they were 131 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:27,800 Speaker 1: able to have tremendous success through the NBA Draft. They 132 00:07:27,880 --> 00:07:34,000 Speaker 1: drafted Steph Curry, Clay Thompson, Harrison barnes Um. They also 133 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:37,440 Speaker 1: drafted Draymond Green in the second round, so they were 134 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:41,960 Speaker 1: able to hit with their draft draft picks and they 135 00:07:41,960 --> 00:07:46,040 Speaker 1: didn't necessarily have high draft picks, but those moves really 136 00:07:46,120 --> 00:07:50,440 Speaker 1: laid the foundation for that franchise and then their ability 137 00:07:50,520 --> 00:07:53,360 Speaker 1: to have player development, to really have these guys who 138 00:07:53,400 --> 00:07:58,320 Speaker 1: have character but also worked very hard on their games 139 00:07:58,320 --> 00:08:01,840 Speaker 1: to improve, to get better, to put themselves into positions 140 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:05,920 Speaker 1: where now the last two years they have been contenders 141 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:11,080 Speaker 1: and coincidentally able to attract a former m v P 142 00:08:11,200 --> 00:08:12,840 Speaker 1: in one of the top two or three guys in 143 00:08:12,880 --> 00:08:15,320 Speaker 1: the game, and Kevin Durant. At the end of the day, 144 00:08:15,320 --> 00:08:17,480 Speaker 1: you're only as good as the players you have, and 145 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 1: they have exceptional players who who have character but aren't characters. 146 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:25,040 Speaker 1: If you know what I'm saying, are they a dynasty? 147 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:28,520 Speaker 1: I guess they have to ask that. I think they are. 148 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:30,560 Speaker 1: I really think they are. I think you know. These 149 00:08:30,560 --> 00:08:33,920 Speaker 1: guys are all young enough. Um, they're in their mid 150 00:08:33,960 --> 00:08:37,520 Speaker 1: to late twenties. They have a tremendous chemistry. I think 151 00:08:37,520 --> 00:08:41,240 Speaker 1: as good as they've been this year, adding Kevin Durant 152 00:08:41,280 --> 00:08:44,320 Speaker 1: to the mix, they will only be better next year 153 00:08:44,679 --> 00:08:47,720 Speaker 1: having that year under their belt. It took some time 154 00:08:47,800 --> 00:08:51,160 Speaker 1: to sort of build that continuity. If you can keep 155 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:55,800 Speaker 1: that cord together of Curry, Durant, Draymond Green and Clay Thompson, 156 00:08:56,200 --> 00:09:00,200 Speaker 1: and then add the right complementary pieces around them, they 157 00:09:00,240 --> 00:09:04,080 Speaker 1: have a chance to to be in the finals. Unfortunately, 158 00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:06,760 Speaker 1: if you're a fan of another team or happen to 159 00:09:06,760 --> 00:09:09,800 Speaker 1: be an owner of another team, Unfortunately, they have a 160 00:09:09,880 --> 00:09:12,720 Speaker 1: chance to be a champion here for the next I 161 00:09:12,760 --> 00:09:16,679 Speaker 1: think five or seven years. That's their window of opportunity. 162 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:19,280 Speaker 1: Uh and um, you know, it's it's pretty scary for 163 00:09:19,320 --> 00:09:22,000 Speaker 1: the rest of the NBA. Is that good or bad 164 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 1: for the NBA from a business perspective? Grant, if realistically 165 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:28,280 Speaker 1: fans go into a season thinking only one, maybe two 166 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:33,520 Speaker 1: teams can win, that's a great question. Um, you know, 167 00:09:34,520 --> 00:09:39,079 Speaker 1: I think the ratings from a television standpoint, we're pretty high. 168 00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:40,880 Speaker 1: That was for the two best though, that was just 169 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:45,240 Speaker 1: for the two best leading into that. Not's so great. Yeah, 170 00:09:45,360 --> 00:09:49,040 Speaker 1: you know, it's interesting. I think, Um, you know, there 171 00:09:49,040 --> 00:09:52,320 Speaker 1: were a lot of blowouts and uh, I'd say maybe 172 00:09:53,559 --> 00:09:57,359 Speaker 1: of the playoff games leading up to the finals were blowouts. 173 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:02,319 Speaker 1: And I don't know if that's necessarily a good thing. Um, 174 00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:05,240 Speaker 1: you know, I I think you want to as a 175 00:10:05,240 --> 00:10:07,839 Speaker 1: fan feel like your team has a chance and has 176 00:10:07,840 --> 00:10:11,760 Speaker 1: an opportunity. We are celebrating the Warriors, But there's the 177 00:10:11,760 --> 00:10:15,000 Speaker 1: other side of the coin. The Cavaliers. Now. Granted that 178 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:16,959 Speaker 1: this is the first time ever in the history of 179 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:20,560 Speaker 1: the NBA that both teams made it to the finals 180 00:10:20,840 --> 00:10:24,400 Speaker 1: three years in a row, But if you're a Calves fan, 181 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:27,880 Speaker 1: and you looked at the performance, you know, four games, 182 00:10:27,920 --> 00:10:30,800 Speaker 1: the one and pretty much they were blowing out in 183 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:33,840 Speaker 1: a lot of games. What can the Calves do to 184 00:10:33,880 --> 00:10:38,600 Speaker 1: improve their team? That's a great question. Um. You know, 185 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:43,080 Speaker 1: you almost got the sense when you saw Lebron James 186 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:47,839 Speaker 1: at the press conference after Game five where he gave 187 00:10:47,920 --> 00:10:53,240 Speaker 1: everything he possibly could give, as did Kyrie Irving, and 188 00:10:53,280 --> 00:10:57,640 Speaker 1: it just wasn't good enough. And you, you know, you 189 00:10:57,640 --> 00:11:01,360 Speaker 1: you wonder what can they do? They need help, they 190 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:05,920 Speaker 1: need another they need another All Star, as crazy as 191 00:11:05,960 --> 00:11:10,040 Speaker 1: that sounds, because they just did not have the firepower 192 00:11:10,200 --> 00:11:13,520 Speaker 1: to match up with the Golden State Warriors. So it's 193 00:11:13,559 --> 00:11:15,400 Speaker 1: it's gonna be interesting to see. It's gonna be interesting 194 00:11:15,480 --> 00:11:19,440 Speaker 1: off season. Lebron James is a free agent. There have 195 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:24,120 Speaker 1: been rumors about him moving. I doubt that will happen. Um, 196 00:11:24,160 --> 00:11:27,560 Speaker 1: but what can Cleveland do Because they're good enough to 197 00:11:27,640 --> 00:11:31,320 Speaker 1: still dominate the Eastern Conference and they're still good enough 198 00:11:31,400 --> 00:11:35,280 Speaker 1: to get to the NBA Finals. But can they beat 199 00:11:35,320 --> 00:11:37,719 Speaker 1: the Golden State Warriors team next year if they were 200 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:40,440 Speaker 1: to meet four times in a row? And uh, and 201 00:11:40,520 --> 00:11:46,040 Speaker 1: I would say no, they're not. Carmelo Anthony calling online one, 202 00:11:47,440 --> 00:11:54,000 Speaker 1: Carmelo online one. Does he fit in with Lebron? Well, 203 00:11:54,040 --> 00:11:56,200 Speaker 1: you know, I think Carmelo I think the nature of 204 00:11:56,280 --> 00:11:59,840 Speaker 1: their relationship is a mutual respect. I think they've had 205 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:03,800 Speaker 1: men of success playing together in the USA Basketball environment 206 00:12:03,920 --> 00:12:08,559 Speaker 1: where Carmelo has really thrived. I think if if Melo 207 00:12:08,760 --> 00:12:11,120 Speaker 1: was going to take a bit of a back seat 208 00:12:11,679 --> 00:12:15,080 Speaker 1: to any player in the league, it would be Lebron James. 209 00:12:15,640 --> 00:12:18,000 Speaker 1: You know, I think he would defer to him. I 210 00:12:18,040 --> 00:12:20,600 Speaker 1: think he would follow him. I think Lebron is an 211 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:23,679 Speaker 1: exceptional leader, and I think there's an environment in a 212 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:28,520 Speaker 1: culture there that is obviously about winning championships. Uh. And 213 00:12:28,600 --> 00:12:31,560 Speaker 1: so I know a lot has to happen, uh, you know, 214 00:12:31,640 --> 00:12:33,920 Speaker 1: for for for for for that to be a reality. 215 00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:39,520 Speaker 1: But I do think that the dynamics of their relationship 216 00:12:40,080 --> 00:12:43,160 Speaker 1: would we would actually make it work. Grant, you're no 217 00:12:43,320 --> 00:12:46,640 Speaker 1: stranger to sort of what we've seen these days trying 218 00:12:46,679 --> 00:12:49,440 Speaker 1: to set up great teams. When you were looking at 219 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:53,000 Speaker 1: leaving Detroit, you were courted by the Orlando Magic. You 220 00:12:53,160 --> 00:12:57,240 Speaker 1: Tracy McGrady and Tim duncan as well. How are things 221 00:12:57,280 --> 00:12:59,440 Speaker 1: different now as compared to when you guys were trying 222 00:12:59,480 --> 00:13:02,880 Speaker 1: to form that that three headed monster. You know, it 223 00:13:02,960 --> 00:13:04,760 Speaker 1: was a little bit of a different time and we 224 00:13:04,880 --> 00:13:09,079 Speaker 1: you know, players today kind of know each other better, uh, 225 00:13:09,120 --> 00:13:12,199 Speaker 1: you know, have known each other from from the AUTH 226 00:13:12,240 --> 00:13:16,679 Speaker 1: circuit and and have closer relationships. That wasn't necessarily the 227 00:13:16,720 --> 00:13:20,640 Speaker 1: case back in two thousand. Um. Now, you know, if 228 00:13:20,640 --> 00:13:23,160 Speaker 1: it were to have happened, and certainly if I had 229 00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:26,000 Speaker 1: stayed healthy, then you're looking at him. Even if I 230 00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:28,040 Speaker 1: didn't stay healthy, you look at a super team with 231 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:32,440 Speaker 1: Team Mac and Tim Duncan. UM. But I think it 232 00:13:32,559 --> 00:13:36,760 Speaker 1: was very bold and aggressive on the Magic's part. And 233 00:13:37,080 --> 00:13:39,640 Speaker 1: I think it was it was you know, sort of 234 00:13:39,679 --> 00:13:44,000 Speaker 1: the first idea or the first you know, first time 235 00:13:44,080 --> 00:13:50,640 Speaker 1: that the thought of going after multiple superstars. Um, it wasn't. 236 00:13:50,679 --> 00:13:53,280 Speaker 1: They weren't successful, and in part because you know, I 237 00:13:53,320 --> 00:13:55,680 Speaker 1: wasn't healthy. I was I couldn't stay healthy and play 238 00:13:55,720 --> 00:13:58,320 Speaker 1: with with with Tracy, and of course Tim Duncan chose 239 00:13:58,360 --> 00:14:01,680 Speaker 1: to stay in San Antonio. But I think it was 240 00:14:01,960 --> 00:14:07,120 Speaker 1: the first sort of free agent um, you know, opportunity 241 00:14:07,160 --> 00:14:10,320 Speaker 1: for a team to really be aggressive and try to 242 00:14:10,480 --> 00:14:14,720 Speaker 1: assemble a championship quality team in one summer. Uh. And 243 00:14:14,760 --> 00:14:18,320 Speaker 1: so of course we've seen We've seen that happened since 244 00:14:18,320 --> 00:14:21,640 Speaker 1: then Miami. You know, you look at Cleveland, you know, 245 00:14:22,160 --> 00:14:25,200 Speaker 1: Lebron going and linking up with Kyrie, bringing in Kevin 246 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:29,560 Speaker 1: Love and then of course you look at Durant and uh. 247 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:35,320 Speaker 1: And so I think the trend now is that, for sure, 248 00:14:35,360 --> 00:14:39,560 Speaker 1: great players want to play with other great players, and 249 00:14:40,680 --> 00:14:45,200 Speaker 1: you know, and that wasn't necessarily the case thirty years ago. 250 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:48,080 Speaker 1: And great, great, great co host want to work with 251 00:14:48,120 --> 00:14:54,000 Speaker 1: great co host. But I got Michael Barden's dead, Christian 252 00:14:54,080 --> 00:14:59,160 Speaker 1: Leadlowe has me unfortunately. So that's your NBA program for 253 00:14:59,160 --> 00:15:01,560 Speaker 1: folks who might out. We are chatting with grand Hill 254 00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:04,480 Speaker 1: and Grant. You spent all that time at Duke under 255 00:15:04,480 --> 00:15:08,200 Speaker 1: coach k your mother Janet on the board of Carlisle Group. 256 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:11,000 Speaker 1: Your father played football. Yeah, I was a professional athlete 257 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:14,680 Speaker 1: with the Dallas Cowboys. You had a lot of advantages, 258 00:15:14,720 --> 00:15:18,320 Speaker 1: and it was still hard for you. How difficult must 259 00:15:18,320 --> 00:15:21,320 Speaker 1: it be now for younger kids trying to make their 260 00:15:21,360 --> 00:15:25,440 Speaker 1: way in the NBA who perhaps don't have that background. Yeah, 261 00:15:25,480 --> 00:15:27,440 Speaker 1: I mean I think in some respects, I think, you know, 262 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:32,840 Speaker 1: being able to sort of handle money, UM, be responsible 263 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:38,640 Speaker 1: with um, you know, with your newfound same if you will. 264 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:43,960 Speaker 1: I think I had those types of advantages. Uh, you know, 265 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:46,280 Speaker 1: but still, I mean, I think it's still hard. I mean, 266 00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:51,280 Speaker 1: I think one of the differences is nowadays, these players 267 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:57,120 Speaker 1: are almost celebrities as teenagers. When they're fourteen, fifteen, sixteen 268 00:15:57,200 --> 00:16:01,560 Speaker 1: years of age playing on the grassroots sir at Au basketball, 269 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:04,640 Speaker 1: they are already kind of on the fast track to 270 00:16:04,680 --> 00:16:07,240 Speaker 1: be in the NBA. You know, I didn't think about 271 00:16:07,280 --> 00:16:10,760 Speaker 1: the NBA until my into my junior year when it 272 00:16:10,880 --> 00:16:13,440 Speaker 1: hit me. It dawned on me like this time next year, 273 00:16:14,320 --> 00:16:17,920 Speaker 1: I'll be preparing for the NBA Draft. And so as 274 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:21,120 Speaker 1: much as we were sort of celebrities in college, I 275 00:16:21,680 --> 00:16:24,880 Speaker 1: feel like it's a lot different these days. And you know, 276 00:16:24,960 --> 00:16:28,800 Speaker 1: I never thought about the NBA in high school, you know, 277 00:16:28,880 --> 00:16:30,720 Speaker 1: I mean, that wasn't and I think when I even 278 00:16:30,800 --> 00:16:33,960 Speaker 1: talked with other players who maybe didn't have the same 279 00:16:33,960 --> 00:16:36,440 Speaker 1: background I had or didn't come from the same environment, 280 00:16:36,840 --> 00:16:39,040 Speaker 1: but we would play at the various tournaments and this, 281 00:16:39,200 --> 00:16:42,280 Speaker 1: that and the other. You know, it was about trying 282 00:16:42,280 --> 00:16:44,680 Speaker 1: to go play in college, trying to get a scholarship, 283 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:47,680 Speaker 1: trying to go to college for free. That was the 284 00:16:48,600 --> 00:16:52,240 Speaker 1: topic of conversation it wasn't like about getting to the league. 285 00:16:53,040 --> 00:16:56,320 Speaker 1: And so these young players in the exposure they have 286 00:16:57,240 --> 00:17:01,000 Speaker 1: is just off the charts, and so they are preparing 287 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:03,240 Speaker 1: for it and planning for it a lot younger than 288 00:17:03,280 --> 00:17:07,200 Speaker 1: we were. I'm even in college players at Duke now, 289 00:17:07,880 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 1: you know, they're in a bubble. They can't do silly 290 00:17:11,680 --> 00:17:15,199 Speaker 1: things and be college students and have some sort of 291 00:17:15,240 --> 00:17:17,840 Speaker 1: some bit of normalcy in this day and age like 292 00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:22,040 Speaker 1: we had. You know, me and my teammates, we did 293 00:17:22,040 --> 00:17:24,240 Speaker 1: a lot of foolish things, but a lot of you know, 294 00:17:24,280 --> 00:17:26,280 Speaker 1: a lot of my classmates did too, and that's part 295 00:17:26,320 --> 00:17:33,080 Speaker 1: of such as oh well, you know, certain things that 296 00:17:33,080 --> 00:17:34,920 Speaker 1: happened in the locker room stay in the locker room. 297 00:17:34,960 --> 00:17:38,879 Speaker 1: But I did. And you know, and nowadays when I 298 00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:40,880 Speaker 1: go back to Duke and I you know, I got 299 00:17:40,880 --> 00:17:44,720 Speaker 1: a chance to spend time with Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum, 300 00:17:44,760 --> 00:17:49,359 Speaker 1: you know, I marvel at their singular focus. You know, 301 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:53,440 Speaker 1: they are there to get to the league. These kids, 302 00:17:53,480 --> 00:17:56,119 Speaker 1: they go practice three times a day. They get up 303 00:17:56,160 --> 00:17:58,200 Speaker 1: in the morning, going to gym, they go to practice 304 00:17:58,240 --> 00:18:00,840 Speaker 1: in the afternoon, and then at night they're coming back 305 00:18:00,880 --> 00:18:04,040 Speaker 1: to the gym. You know, we were too busy having fun, 306 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:07,080 Speaker 1: you know, chasing after women, you know, going to the 307 00:18:07,119 --> 00:18:08,760 Speaker 1: park like we were we were kids. We you know, 308 00:18:08,800 --> 00:18:12,680 Speaker 1: we weren't thinking. It wasn't like this, this laser focus 309 00:18:12,720 --> 00:18:15,720 Speaker 1: to get to the league. Did your downtime in the 310 00:18:15,840 --> 00:18:19,200 Speaker 1: NBA afford you the opportunity to learn what you needed 311 00:18:19,240 --> 00:18:21,440 Speaker 1: to to become an owner? It did help. I mean, 312 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:25,280 Speaker 1: you know, look, I'm I'm an owner of the Lanta Hawks, 313 00:18:25,359 --> 00:18:28,560 Speaker 1: vice chairman of our board. Uh, it didn't just happen. 314 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:31,359 Speaker 1: I mean I've been looking at doing this for twenty years, 315 00:18:32,440 --> 00:18:37,119 Speaker 1: and I think the thing that I realized was, uh, 316 00:18:37,240 --> 00:18:42,360 Speaker 1: the access to leaders of industry that my position as 317 00:18:42,359 --> 00:18:45,200 Speaker 1: a professional athlete afforded me. And I tried to take 318 00:18:45,240 --> 00:18:48,760 Speaker 1: advantage of that. And so one thing that that people 319 00:18:48,840 --> 00:18:51,120 Speaker 1: don't realize is that when you're in the NBA, there's 320 00:18:51,119 --> 00:18:55,199 Speaker 1: a tremendous amount of downtime as a player, and I 321 00:18:55,280 --> 00:18:57,520 Speaker 1: tried to take advantage of that. I tried to be 322 00:18:57,600 --> 00:19:01,480 Speaker 1: productive when I would go on the road, I would 323 00:19:01,520 --> 00:19:05,440 Speaker 1: try to meet people, uh, in different industries. I would 324 00:19:05,800 --> 00:19:08,440 Speaker 1: got to know, you know, the alumni association at Duke 325 00:19:08,520 --> 00:19:12,640 Speaker 1: University very well, and you know, got to know various 326 00:19:12,760 --> 00:19:16,159 Speaker 1: distinguished alumni and the various cities we were in, and 327 00:19:16,240 --> 00:19:19,720 Speaker 1: so meeting for breakfast, meeting for coffee, taking in the dinner, 328 00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:23,320 Speaker 1: having an opportunity to to not only pick their brains, 329 00:19:23,560 --> 00:19:28,680 Speaker 1: learning from them, expand my rolodex. UH. And so I 330 00:19:28,720 --> 00:19:32,960 Speaker 1: was always sort of targeting the end game, even when 331 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:36,359 Speaker 1: I was young, in the midst of my early career. 332 00:19:36,960 --> 00:19:39,560 Speaker 1: And I think part of that, as you talked of earlier, Scott, 333 00:19:39,600 --> 00:19:42,680 Speaker 1: the benefit of of my family. I had a father 334 00:19:42,720 --> 00:19:47,600 Speaker 1: who played, and I saw firsthand that it ends, you know, 335 00:19:47,680 --> 00:19:49,920 Speaker 1: it ends one day, and I want to end with 336 00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:52,719 Speaker 1: the leadership of your mother because she told me the 337 00:19:52,720 --> 00:19:54,640 Speaker 1: story of years ago. And I'm sure you know which 338 00:19:54,640 --> 00:19:57,280 Speaker 1: one I'm talking about. She would tell you to stop 339 00:19:57,320 --> 00:19:59,920 Speaker 1: breaking your toys when you were six or seven years old, 340 00:20:00,800 --> 00:20:04,480 Speaker 1: and then one Christmas you opened up a bunch of boxes. 341 00:20:05,160 --> 00:20:10,000 Speaker 1: Can you tell the world what was in those boxes? Yeah? Yeah, 342 00:20:10,040 --> 00:20:13,320 Speaker 1: she had She had gotten all the toys that I 343 00:20:13,440 --> 00:20:16,760 Speaker 1: broke through the years, had gotten them fixed, and UH 344 00:20:17,080 --> 00:20:21,359 Speaker 1: gave him And at seven eight years old, I didn't 345 00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:25,120 Speaker 1: totally understand it, you know what she was doing, um, 346 00:20:25,160 --> 00:20:28,600 Speaker 1: but you know, I certainly got the message eventually to 347 00:20:28,960 --> 00:20:32,000 Speaker 1: take care of and value what I have and appreciate 348 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:35,680 Speaker 1: what I have. And you know, my you know, as 349 00:20:35,720 --> 00:20:40,200 Speaker 1: I said, my parents, UM have just you know, been unbelievable, 350 00:20:40,320 --> 00:20:46,119 Speaker 1: been my heroes, Um, been my examples, have held me 351 00:20:46,160 --> 00:20:51,359 Speaker 1: accountable my entire life. That that exercise hasn't changed. Now 352 00:20:51,520 --> 00:20:53,919 Speaker 1: as I'm forty four years old, my mom will still 353 00:20:53,960 --> 00:20:57,080 Speaker 1: put me in check. Um and now I'm not breaking 354 00:20:57,119 --> 00:21:01,239 Speaker 1: my toys now, but uh, you know kids are your 355 00:21:01,280 --> 00:21:04,840 Speaker 1: kids are breaking their toys? Yes, exactly, No, exactly they 356 00:21:04,840 --> 00:21:07,080 Speaker 1: were there toys exactly know what I mean? You know, 357 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:10,800 Speaker 1: she I'm lucky that with the life that I've had 358 00:21:10,840 --> 00:21:14,520 Speaker 1: and the success that I've been able to, uh to experience, 359 00:21:14,760 --> 00:21:17,360 Speaker 1: that I still have people in my life who are 360 00:21:17,359 --> 00:21:20,800 Speaker 1: honest with me and who hold me accountable, who tell 361 00:21:20,840 --> 00:21:24,399 Speaker 1: me when I'm wrong and uh and despite what people 362 00:21:24,400 --> 00:21:28,080 Speaker 1: may think, I'm wrong a lot and uh and I 363 00:21:28,119 --> 00:21:30,240 Speaker 1: also recognize that not a lot of people in my 364 00:21:30,320 --> 00:21:32,679 Speaker 1: position have that they don't have people who are going 365 00:21:32,720 --> 00:21:35,679 Speaker 1: to be honest and be real with them. And and 366 00:21:35,720 --> 00:21:38,680 Speaker 1: so you want to surround yourself with people who are 367 00:21:38,680 --> 00:21:40,600 Speaker 1: going to not always tell you what you want to hear, 368 00:21:40,720 --> 00:21:42,679 Speaker 1: but tell you what you need to hear. And I 369 00:21:42,720 --> 00:21:45,719 Speaker 1: certainly get that from my mom and my dad and 370 00:21:45,800 --> 00:21:49,240 Speaker 1: from my wife from time to time too. Yeah, I 371 00:21:49,240 --> 00:21:53,080 Speaker 1: get it every day from the wife. I'm always wrong. 372 00:21:53,359 --> 00:21:55,040 Speaker 1: I don't know where you think people that you're not wrong, 373 00:21:55,080 --> 00:21:57,000 Speaker 1: and everybody thinks I'm wrong all the time. And since 374 00:21:57,040 --> 00:22:02,440 Speaker 1: the show will be heard by my wife, you're number one, baby. 375 00:22:02,440 --> 00:22:05,080 Speaker 1: Thanks so much. We appreciate you taking the time. See, 376 00:22:05,119 --> 00:22:08,399 Speaker 1: I'm smart enough. Never knowing that my wife is listening 377 00:22:08,440 --> 00:22:12,520 Speaker 1: to the show, I will always say she is the boss. 378 00:22:12,600 --> 00:22:14,480 Speaker 1: You're a smart man, Mr. Bar But let me tell 379 00:22:14,480 --> 00:22:16,720 Speaker 1: you what I took away from Grant is that the 380 00:22:16,840 --> 00:22:22,000 Speaker 1: kids today, those kids at Duke have a singular focus 381 00:22:22,560 --> 00:22:25,840 Speaker 1: on the NBA. That's the goal, and it probably starts 382 00:22:26,359 --> 00:22:29,719 Speaker 1: at age what you tell me twelve fourteen. When you're 383 00:22:29,720 --> 00:22:31,640 Speaker 1: a good player on that A a U circuit, it's 384 00:22:31,680 --> 00:22:33,639 Speaker 1: no longer just about the fun. And let's see if 385 00:22:33,680 --> 00:22:36,520 Speaker 1: I can reach a college scholarship the goal. And we're 386 00:22:36,520 --> 00:22:41,080 Speaker 1: seeing this with LaVar and Lonzo Ball. This is a 387 00:22:41,200 --> 00:22:45,920 Speaker 1: plan that is being executed by these folks for a 388 00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:48,199 Speaker 1: long time. And you and I have been in the 389 00:22:48,240 --> 00:22:50,280 Speaker 1: same boat. We both have had a chance to talk 390 00:22:50,280 --> 00:22:53,159 Speaker 1: with Coach k and you talk about the quality of 391 00:22:53,160 --> 00:22:56,840 Speaker 1: the man and the focus of what he is all about, 392 00:22:57,119 --> 00:22:59,359 Speaker 1: which is why it does not surprise me when you 393 00:22:59,400 --> 00:23:04,480 Speaker 1: get down to that extreme important shot with Christian Lightner 394 00:23:04,920 --> 00:23:07,399 Speaker 1: and the past from Grand Hill. Now you wonder if 395 00:23:07,400 --> 00:23:09,520 Speaker 1: that could happen though in the future, because now it's 396 00:23:09,600 --> 00:23:12,200 Speaker 1: one and done. It's not going to be that third 397 00:23:12,240 --> 00:23:14,240 Speaker 1: and fourth year guy who has been in the press 398 00:23:14,280 --> 00:23:17,200 Speaker 1: of situation, who has learned how to handle, who has 399 00:23:17,800 --> 00:23:22,480 Speaker 1: really really live through the tougher times. Now you're asking 400 00:23:22,480 --> 00:23:23,960 Speaker 1: an eighteen year old or a nineteen year old to 401 00:23:23,960 --> 00:23:26,159 Speaker 1: make it happen. All right. Time for a number. I 402 00:23:26,200 --> 00:23:29,360 Speaker 1: got one for you, nine. And it's not Wayne Gretzky, 403 00:23:29,359 --> 00:23:31,760 Speaker 1: because I hear ninety nine and thinks sports and sports business. 404 00:23:31,800 --> 00:23:34,400 Speaker 1: I think Wayne Gretzky immediately, But it is somebody else. 405 00:23:34,640 --> 00:23:37,320 Speaker 1: It is not either or on. Get smart. We're talking 406 00:23:37,320 --> 00:23:41,560 Speaker 1: about Aaron Judge's number nine. His jersey is now the 407 00:23:41,600 --> 00:23:45,440 Speaker 1: top selling Major League Baseball jersey. Since May one, it 408 00:23:45,480 --> 00:23:48,679 Speaker 1: has been like that, and then since this month the 409 00:23:48,720 --> 00:23:51,680 Speaker 1: sales have double. It's amazing. I mean, this guy has 410 00:23:51,880 --> 00:23:54,520 Speaker 1: really come out of nowhere. Nobody expected this. The Yankees 411 00:23:54,560 --> 00:23:56,359 Speaker 1: didn't expect this, which is why they've set up that 412 00:23:56,440 --> 00:23:59,080 Speaker 1: judge's chambers in right field. They're trying to get that 413 00:23:59,119 --> 00:24:02,480 Speaker 1: millennial grew that's so hard to to court that they 414 00:24:02,600 --> 00:24:05,440 Speaker 1: want to go and sit there. Yeah, he's he's actually 415 00:24:05,520 --> 00:24:08,080 Speaker 1: past Chris Bryan to the Cubs, a very popular player. 416 00:24:08,320 --> 00:24:11,760 Speaker 1: The guy has had a two year reign as the 417 00:24:11,760 --> 00:24:14,360 Speaker 1: best selling jersey. And then come on, say it out 418 00:24:14,359 --> 00:24:17,359 Speaker 1: loud to that, you know, here come, here comes the jack. 419 00:24:17,520 --> 00:24:23,520 Speaker 1: I'm the judge, Sterling. I apologize. This is Bloomberg Business 420 00:24:23,520 --> 00:24:27,000 Speaker 1: of Sports on Bloomberg Radio around the world. We are 421 00:24:27,040 --> 00:24:29,840 Speaker 1: here each and every week at the same time, exploring 422 00:24:29,880 --> 00:24:32,800 Speaker 1: the world of money and sports. Michael blarn and I'm 423 00:24:32,800 --> 00:24:35,199 Speaker 1: Scott Sosnik. Thanks for joining us, and please tune in 424 00:24:35,240 --> 00:24:38,280 Speaker 1: next week when we speak with standcasting, CEO of the 425 00:24:38,320 --> 00:24:39,440 Speaker 1: Los Angeles Dodgers.