AT A GLANCE

• Adam Silver says NBA is “very much a highlights-based sport” when asked about rising costs of watching games.
• The league’s new media deals spread games across ESPN, Peacock, Amazon Prime, and others, requiring multiple subscriptions.
• Silver also addressed the Clippers–Kawhi Leonard salary-cap scandal tied to “green bank” Aspiration.
• The NBA has retained Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to investigate, and Silver insists his powers to punish are “very broad.”

Adam Silver Calls NBA a ‘Highlights-Based Sport’ as Fans Face Higher Costs

NBA commissioner Adam Silver defended the league’s new broadcast deals Wednesday, even as fans voiced frustration about the growing number of subscriptions needed to watch games. Speaking at the NBA’s preseason board of governors meeting, Silver argued that basketball is “very much a highlights-based sport” and emphasized that much of the league’s content is already accessible through social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and even major outlets like The New York Times.

Rising Costs for Fans

The new national broadcast schedule will spread NBA games across Disney properties, NBC’s Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video. While the league is banking on streaming growth, fans are bracing for the cumulative cost of juggling multiple subscriptions just to follow their teams. Silver, however, suggested that free highlight clips and online content provide an alternative to traditional full-game viewing.

Clippers and Kawhi Leonard Under Investigation

Silver also fielded questions about the Los Angeles Clippers’ alleged salary-cap circumvention involving star forward Kawhi Leonard and the financial firm Aspiration. Reports surfaced last week that Leonard had signed a secret $28 million “no-show” contract with the company, in addition to a $20 million stock deal.

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has denied wrongdoing, saying he had “no control” over Aspiration’s decision to contract with Leonard, despite his $50 million investment in the company.

Silver Says His Punishment Powers Are ‘Very Broad’

The commissioner made clear that the situation is serious enough to warrant an external review. The NBA has retained the New York-based law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to conduct the investigation. While stressing that the process must run its course, Silver said, “My powers are very broad. I have a full range of financial penalties, draft picks, suspensions, et cetera. I have very broad powers in these situations.”