The decision to host more than just an NBA All-Star Weekend in Atlanta, highlighted by the game itself on March 7, is as daunting as Commissioner Adam Silver’s efforts to triple it. Last night, Silver spoke Inside the NBA regarding the All-Star Game, and Ernie Johnson actually opened the floor by discussing his surprise before handing it over to Silver to explain his decision as to why the NBA needs an All-Star game.
Silver’s response was “Fans.”
“All-Star is the event no. 1 fan engagement for the entire season, “Silver told EJ. “For the league, it was a 70-year tradition, something like 100 million people who will vote for All-Stars. Highlights coming out of the All-Star Weekend have historically generated close to a billion views. Something like 130 million people will watch the All-Star game globally. ”
Silver went on to highlight the initial mixed reactions to the NBA’s closure in March amid the COVID-19 outbreak and added that the NBA, “Should be judged in the end based on our ability to operate during a pandemic, not to close.” in a pandemic. Anyone can be imprisoned. And for us, if we started a course, whether it was The Bubble in Orlando or this season, to present the league as close to a normal state as possible. So, for us, All-Star is part of our league, it is no different from the games we play and I will end by saying that it starts and ends with the fans. ”
You can listen to Silver say “fans” and just replace that word with “money.”
The message comes just days after Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms demanded that no fan come to town for parties on the usual festive weekend.
G / O Media may receive a commission
Included in her statement was: “I shared my concerns about the health and safety of the NBA and the Atlanta Hawks. We agree that this is an event exclusively for television, and people should not travel to Atlanta to party. There will be no NBA-sanctioned events open to the public and we strongly encourage promoters, clubs, bars, etc. not to host events in this city related to this game.
Well … you can see for yourself that, at least jokingly or unofficially, that’s it alreadyyou started.
He had The All-Star game simply stayed in Indiana, where it was originally planned, it may not be a problem. What about Atlanta? WI can’t expect Atlanta to talk quietly about All-Star Weekend … It’s Atlanta.
However, as seen in a search above, as well as through here, Twitter allows Silver to have the NBA’s decision to move on with All-Star Weekend. This will certainly not go smoothly, and as much as fans are very appreciative of this event, it mainly indicates that the financial gain (from viewers, sponsors, monetized internet activities, etc.) is too enticing to give up.. The NBA is a business, after all. You can label this as wrong, insecure, or simply deaf, but All-Star Weekend Pushing doesn’t do what’s right or wrong; it just makes him American. You shouldn’t be surprised.