NBA revenue to touch $5 billion this season, a 20 percent increase from 2010-2011 season – NBA News
NBA commissioner David Stern has said that estimated revenue from the current NBA season is expected to be around $5 billion, a 20 percent increase from the revenue of the last full NBA season back in 2010-2011. Stern made the
announcement while speaking at Beyond Sport United, a gathering of team, league and industry executives at the Yankees Stadium in New York. While speaking at the occasion, Stern also said that NBA expansion to other regions including Europe would take a decade
or so to accomplish.
"I think for us the thing that would make the most sense would be a division in Europe at the time that it comes. I don't see that for another decade at least. Not one team,” said Stern.
The revenue estimated for the league is for the year ending September 30th, and brings about a 20 percent increase from the 2010-2011 season because of the continued expansion of the league into other markets, the success
of the U.S Basketball team at the 2012 London Olympics, and the excitement and competition that is expected from the current NBA season after a series of trades and acquisitions during the offseason have strengthened many teams and opened up the league. However,
the NBA still ranks third in American League in terms of revenue, with the NFL leading the pack with revenue of $9 billion, followed by the MLB with a revenue of $7.5 billion.
"I would say that China, which is the largest segment outside the U.S., is doing very well. I would say we'll see that to some degree as well in Turkey, in Africa, in Brazil. The components are broadcast, digital, merchandise,
marketing partnerships and events,” added Stern.
Stern announced last month that he would retire from the league on February 1st, 2014, 30 years after taking the command of the league from Larry O’Brien. He says that since he does not have much time left, international
expansion and development will now be on the shoulders of Adam Silver, who has been serving as deputy commissioner since 2006 and is expected to take over from Stern once he retires.
"It's not something we've done a lot of looking at, but it's something that we've had people approach us with," said Stern while referring to NBA expansion in overseas territories.
Stern also apprised the attendees that the NBA was being broadcasted in 46 languages to 216 nations or territories worldwide.
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