NBA
National Basketball Association, the premier professional basketball league in the world, comprising 30 teams and recognized as a global sports and entertainment brand.
Company Type
private
Founded
1946
Headquarters
New York City, New York, USA
About NBA
Who owns the NBA?
The NBA is owned collectively by its 30 member team owners through the NBA Board of Governors. Each team is independently owned, but they collectively govern the league. Adam Silver serves as Commissioner, appointed by the team owners.
The NBA is owned collectively by its 30 member team owners through the NBA Board of Governors. Each team is independently owned, but they collectively govern the league. Adam Silver serves as Commissioner, appointed by the team owners.
Is the NBA publicly traded?
No, the NBA is not publicly traded as a league. Individual teams are privately owned, though some teams have partial public ownership structures. The league itself is a private joint venture of its 30 member teams.
No, the NBA is not publicly traded as a league. Individual teams are privately owned, though some teams have partial public ownership structures. The league itself is a private joint venture of its 30 member teams.
What is the NBA's annual revenue?
The NBA generates approximately $10 billion in annual revenue, derived from media rights, ticket sales, sponsorships, licensing, and international operations. The new 11-year media rights deal beginning in 2025-26 is expected to significantly increase league revenue.
The NBA generates approximately $10 billion in annual revenue, derived from media rights, ticket sales, sponsorships, licensing, and international operations. The new 11-year media rights deal beginning in 2025-26 is expected to significantly increase league revenue.
What is the new NBA media rights deal?
In 2024, the NBA signed an 11-year media rights deal worth approximately $76 billion, beginning with the 2025-26 season. The deal includes ESPN/ABC (continuing), NBC/Peacock (returning after 22 years), and Amazon Prime Video (new streaming partner). The deal represents a significant increase from the previous approximately $24 billion deal.
In 2024, the NBA signed an 11-year media rights deal worth approximately $76 billion, beginning with the 2025-26 season. The deal includes ESPN/ABC (continuing), NBC/Peacock (returning after 22 years), and Amazon Prime Video (new streaming partner). The deal represents a significant increase from the previous approximately $24 billion deal.
When was the NBA founded?
The NBA was founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and became the NBA in 1949 after merging with the National Basketball League (NBL). Maurice Podoloff served as the first commissioner.
The NBA was founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and became the NBA in 1949 after merging with the National Basketball League (NBL). Maurice Podoloff served as the first commissioner.
Who is the NBA Commissioner?
Adam Silver has served as NBA Commissioner since February 2014, succeeding David Stern. Silver's contract has been extended through the 2030 season. He is widely regarded as one of the most effective commissioners in professional sports.
Adam Silver has served as NBA Commissioner since February 2014, succeeding David Stern. Silver's contract has been extended through the 2030 season. He is widely regarded as one of the most effective commissioners in professional sports.
History of NBA
The NBA was founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA), established by a group of arena owners led by Maurice Podoloff and Walter Brown (owner of the Boston Garden). The BAA was created to fill arena dates with professional basketball, competing with the established National Basketball League (NBL).
In 1949, the BAA merged with the NBL to form the National Basketball Association, creating a unified professional basketball league. Maurice Podoloff served as the first commissioner of the merged league.
The early NBA struggled with financial difficulties and limited fan interest. The league gained momentum in the 1950s with the emergence of superstar players like George Mikan of the Minneapolis Lakers, who became the first dominant big man in professional basketball. The introduction of the 24-second shot clock in 1954 transformed the game, increasing scoring and pace of play.
The 1960s brought legendary players including Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Oscar Robertson, establishing the NBA as a showcase for the world's best basketball talent. The Boston Celtics, led by Bill Russell, won 11 championships in 13 seasons from 1957 to 1969, establishing one of the greatest dynasties in sports history.
The 1970s saw the emergence of new stars including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Julius Erving, but the league faced challenges with declining television ratings and concerns about player conduct. Commissioner Larry O'Brien worked to stabilize the league during this period.
The 1980s transformed the NBA into a major entertainment product, driven by the iconic rivalry between Larry Bird's Boston Celtics and Magic Johnson's Los Angeles Lakers. Commissioner David Stern, who took office in 1984, was instrumental in marketing the league's stars and expanding its television presence. The NBA's partnership with Nike and the introduction of the Air Jordan brand in 1984 created a new model for sports marketing.
The 1990s saw Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls become global icons, winning six championships and propelling the NBA to unprecedented international popularity. Jordan's global appeal helped establish the NBA as a truly international brand, with games broadcast in more than 200 countries.
David Stern served as Commissioner from 1984 to 2014, overseeing the NBA's transformation from a struggling league into one of the world's most valuable sports properties. During his tenure, the NBA's revenue grew from approximately $165 million to approximately $5 billion annually.
Adam Silver became Commissioner in February 2014, succeeding David Stern. Silver has continued the NBA's global expansion, embraced social justice initiatives by players, and navigated the league through the COVID-19 pandemic, which required the creation of a "bubble" environment in Orlando, Florida, to complete the 2019-20 season.
In 2024, the NBA signed a landmark 11-year media rights deal worth approximately $76 billion, beginning with the 2025-26 season. The deal includes agreements with ESPN/ABC (continuing their long-standing relationship), NBC/Peacock (returning to NBA broadcasting after a 22-year absence), and Amazon Prime Video (marking the NBA's first major streaming-only broadcast partner). The deal represented a significant increase from the previous $24 billion deal with ESPN/ABC and TNT.
Brands Owned by NBA
NBA owns 1 brand in our database.
NBA Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +New 11-year media rights deal worth approximately $76 billion (beginning 2025-26) dramatically increases league revenue
- +Global brand with massive international audiences, particularly in China, Europe, and Latin America
- +Star-driven league with globally recognized players who drive merchandise, media, and sponsorship revenue
- +WNBA, NBA G League, and NBA 2K League create a comprehensive basketball ecosystem
- +Commissioner Adam Silver is widely regarded as one of the most progressive and effective commissioners in professional sports
Considerations
- -Complex governance requiring consensus among 30 independent team owners with varying interests
- -Geopolitical tensions, particularly with China, create ongoing commercial and reputational risk
- -Player empowerment and load management (players resting during regular season games) creates tension with fans and broadcast partners
- -Competition from the NFL, which generates significantly more U.S. television revenue
- -Collective bargaining with the NBPA requires ongoing negotiation and can result in work stoppages
Frequently Asked Questions About NBA
Who owns the NBA?
The NBA is owned collectively by its 30 member team owners through the NBA Board of Governors. Each team is independently owned, but they collectively govern the league. Adam Silver serves as Commissioner, appointed by the team owners.
Is the NBA publicly traded?
No, the NBA is not publicly traded as a league. Individual teams are privately owned, though some teams have partial public ownership structures. The league itself is a private joint venture of its 30 member teams.
What is the NBA's annual revenue?
The NBA generates approximately $10 billion in annual revenue, derived from media rights, ticket sales, sponsorships, licensing, and international operations. The new 11-year media rights deal beginning in 2025-26 is expected to significantly increase league revenue.
What is the new NBA media rights deal?
In 2024, the NBA signed an 11-year media rights deal worth approximately $76 billion, beginning with the 2025-26 season. The deal includes ESPN/ABC (continuing), NBC/Peacock (returning after 22 years), and Amazon Prime Video (new streaming partner). The deal represents a significant increase from the previous approximately $24 billion deal.
When was the NBA founded?
The NBA was founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and became the NBA in 1949 after merging with the National Basketball League (NBL). Maurice Podoloff served as the first commissioner.
Who is the NBA Commissioner?
Adam Silver has served as NBA Commissioner since February 2014, succeeding David Stern. Silver's contract has been extended through the 2030 season. He is widely regarded as one of the most effective commissioners in professional sports.
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