Speaking at the NBA Board of Governors meeting today in New York, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was asked about the biggest topic surrounding his league. In response to a question referencing how he discussed the game’s coverage on JJ Redick’s podcast last year, the commissioner was specifically asked for his take on the ongoing spat between ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James.
Although Silver did not have exact knowledge of the back-and-forth exchange between the two, he did mention that his phone was quite active today while he was in meetings with the board.
“I just ended board meetings that began at 8 a.m. this morning. I would say my phone was in front of me, and I received several texts that said, ‘Are you watching this?’” said Silver. “I said, ‘What’s this?’ and they said, ‘Stephen A.’ So I saw some of the headlines that came out of it.”
The commissioner then referenced an ongoing conversation he had been having with Joe Dumars, the executive vice president and head of basketball operations for the NBA, about how the league is discussed in the age of social media. He specifically highlighted how the debate often revolves around which player is the greatest to ever play the sport.
“We’re a particular sport in which that kind of debate seems to be part of the DNA of this league,” said Silver. “I’m jealous sometimes. It seems that in other sports that I’m a fan of, when I watch the coverage—particularly around the games—it tends to be more celebratory than it is in the NBA. However, I accept it, and we’re often the beneficiary too. There’s seemingly as much social media interest in this league at times as in all the other leagues combined.”
Silver admitted that he occasionally cringes when watching coverage of the league. However, he acknowledged that overall interest in the league and its players has risen during his tenure leading the association. That said, he did express a preference for a different type of coverage—one that focuses more on the game itself rather than the kind of discourse currently happening between James and Smith.
“I haven’t had an opportunity to watch or read precisely what went on today,” noted Silver. “I would like the focus to be on the play on the floor. I particularly feel protective of our players, of course, but I also recognize that there’s an industry out there—a media landscape that we are often the beneficiary of—that talks about our sport around the clock. Still, I sure wish it would never become personal.”
During the press conference, Silver also expressed his satisfaction with the league’s television ratings, which have rebounded from earlier-season lows. Furthermore, he stated that he is pleased with the league’s overall position heading into the postseason. In addition, he addressed potential expansion, noting that there were no new developments on that front. However, he did mention that the declines in viewership on regional sports networks remain a key factor in determining how the league will move forward.
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