How hard did the coronavirus hit the NBA bottom line?
About a billion and a half dollars, according to a report from the Associated Press:
Revenue projections for the league this season were missed by about $1.5 billion, the [AP source] said. The losses were the result of a combination of factors — the shutdown caused by the pandemic, the cancelation of 171 regular-season games, completing the season in a bubble at Walt Disney World without fans, the nearly $200 million price tag for operating that bubble and a yearlong rift with the Chinese government that saw NBA games not shown on state television there…
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There were 171 games canceled this season by the coronavirus, which caused the league to suspend operations on March 11. The league sent 22 of its 30 teams to a bubble at Walt Disney World in July, with play resuming July 30 and the full 16-team playoffs going on as scheduled — though all without fans.
League revenue was projected to be in excess of $8 billion before the crisis (the exact figures are not public). NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had previously said the league’s issues with China — centered around a Daryl Morey Tweet in support of Hong Kong protesters — cost the league about $400 million.
The NBA is targeting a start to next season on Dec. 22 in part because the earlier start is expected to bring in another $500 million in next season the owners were told, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Report: NBA missed revenue projections by $1.5 billion last season originally appeared on NBCSports.com
