Kristian Ferrell
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a major sports league in North America, with a long history of partnerships with television networks in the United States. The NBA was created on August 3, 1949, through the merger of the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball League (NBL). The NBA's regular season runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. The league's playoff tournament extends into June, culminating in the NBA Finals championship series. The NBA standings are updated with the completion of each game, with teams seeded 7-10 in each conference competing in a play-in tournament at the end of the regular season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | 6 June 1946 (as the Basketball Association of America) or 3 August 1949 (as the National Basketball Association) |
| Founding Teams | Merger of the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball League (NBL) |
| Season Duration | October to April, with each team playing 82 games |
| Playoff Tournament | Extends into June, culminating in the NBA Finals championship series |
| Membership | Active member of USA Basketball (USAB), which is recognised by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) as the governing body for basketball in the United States |
| Revenue | Second-wealthiest professional sports league in the world after the National Football League (NFL) |
| Player Salary | NBA players are the highest-paid athletes worldwide by average annual salary per player |
| Television Networks | Current 11-year agreements with ABC, NBC, ESPN, Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video |
| Tie-Break Criteria | Division winner, winning percentage against teams in the same division, conference, and postseason eligibility, and point differential |
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What You'll Learn
How are NBA standings calculated?
The NBA standings are calculated using a range of criteria, with the primary focus being on winning percentages and tie-break scenarios. The standings reflect each team's performance and ranking within their division and conference.
Firstly, each team's winning percentage is calculated, which is critical for ranking. This is determined by the number of games won out of the total played. This percentage is calculated separately for games against teams in the same division and against teams in the same conference.
In the case of a tie between two teams, the following criteria are used to determine the higher standing:
- Division winner (regardless of whether the tied teams are in the same division).
- Better winning percentage against teams in the same division (if both teams are in the same division).
- Better winning percentage against teams in the same conference.
- Better winning percentage in games against teams eligible for the postseason in the same conference.
- Better winning percentage in games against teams eligible for the postseason in the opposite conference.
- Better net result of total points scored less total points allowed against all opponents ("point differential").
If these criteria do not break the tie, the playoff positions will be determined by a random drawing.
When more than two teams are tied, the criteria are applied in a specific order, with the first step being the division win. The guidelines for applying these tie-break criteria are strict and are used to determine only the division winner, not for any other purpose.
The standings also reflect a team's "clinching status," which indicates whether the team has secured a certain position or outcome for the season, such as qualifying for the playoffs.
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NBA's television partnerships
The NBA has a long history of partnerships with television networks in the United States. In 1953, the NBA signed a contract with DuMont, marking its first year with a national television broadcaster. NBC took over the rights the following year until 1962. After the deal expired, the Sports Network Incorporated (later known as the Hughes Television Network) signed a two-year deal for the 1962–63 and 1963–64 seasons. ABC then gained the NBA in 1964, airing its first game on 3 January 1965.
In 1979, the NBA entered the cable territory when the USA Network signed a three-year, $1.5 million deal, which was extended for two years until the 1983–84 season. ESPN also had a brief partnership with the NBA from 1982 to 1984. Turner Sports then replaced ESPN and USA Network as national cable partners under a four-year deal beginning with the 1984-85 season, in which TBS shared the NBA television package along with CBS. In 1987, Turner signed a new joint broadcast contract between TBS and TNT to split broadcast NBA games starting from the 1988-89 season.
In 1990, NBC took over the broadcast rights from CBS. During NBC's partnership with the NBA in the 1990s, the league rose to unprecedented popularity, with ratings surpassing the days of Johnson and Bird in the mid-1980s. In 2002, NBC made a four-year $1.3 billion ($330 million/year) offer to renew its rights, but the NBA opted for ABC/ESPN's higher bid.
In 2024, the NBA announced new 11-year media agreements with The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal, and Amazon Prime Video, which will run through the 2035-36 season. Xfinity will become the Official TV Service of the NBA, WNBA, and USA Basketball. The NBA App will be a universal access point – seamlessly directing fans to every national game on Disney, NBCU, and Amazon platforms. The new media deals will expand the reach of NBA telecasts, with all national games available on broadly distributed streaming services.
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History of the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) was formed in 1949 through the merger of two rival organisations: the National Basketball League (NBL), founded in 1937, and the Basketball Association of America (BAA), founded in 1946. The BAA was the first league to play primarily in large arenas in major cities. The NBA later adopted the BAA's history and statistics as its own, considering its founding date as that of the BAA.
The NBA initially consisted of 17 teams, but by the 1954-55 season, only eight teams remained: the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia Warriors, Minneapolis Lakers, Rochester Royals, Fort Wayne Pistons, Milwaukee Hawks, and Syracuse Nationals. The introduction of the 24-second shot clock in 1954 revolutionised the game, making it faster-paced and more exciting, which helped to attract fans back to the league.
The 1950s saw the emergence of legendary players such as George Mikan, Bob Cousy, and Bill Russell, who led the Boston Celtics to 11 championships. This decade also witnessed the NBA breaking racial barriers, with Earl Lloyd becoming the first African-American to play in an NBA game in 1950, and Japanese-American Wataru Misaka breaking the NBA colour barrier in the 1947-48 season.
The 1960s were dominated by the Boston Celtics, who won eight straight championships from 1959 to 1966, the longest championship streak in American professional sports history. The rivalry between the Celtics' Bill Russell and the Warriors' Wilt Chamberlain became one of the greatest in American sports history.
In 1976, the NBA merged with the rival American Basketball Association (ABA), absorbing four teams and adding new stars and energy to the league. However, the NBA faced challenges in the 1970s, including drug use among players, declining TV ratings, and competition from the ABA.
The NBA's revival came in the 1980s, fuelled by the rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, which reignited fan interest. The arrival of Michael Jordan in 1984 transformed the league, with his dominance on the court and charisma off it making him a global icon. The 1990s belonged to Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, with their six championships turning the NBA into must-see television. The decade also saw the introduction of more international players and the expansion of the NBA's global reach through TV deals and merchandise.
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NBA player transfers
The NBA has seen several player transfers and trades over the years, with the league's history marked by the movement of players between teams. Here are some notable player transfers and their impact on the league:
Kevin Durant's move to the Houston Rockets is a significant transfer, with the Rockets acquiring a player capable of creating his own offense. Durant, considered the best player by many, joins a Rockets team that showed patience in their pursuit of a trade. This move sets the Rockets up for a successful window of opportunity.
The Phoenix Suns hired Steve Clifford as a coaching advisor. Clifford has had a wealth of experience, previously serving as the head coach for the Charlotte Hornets and the Orlando Magic. The Suns will benefit from Clifford's expertise and strategic insight.
The LA Clippers signed a deal with guard Jason Preston, who will likely join their G League affiliate, the San Diego Clippers, after the preseason. Preston previously played for the Clippers in his first two NBA seasons and also spent time with the Utah Jazz.
Killian Hayes, who has received offers from EuroLeague clubs, remains focused on returning to the NBA and securing a training camp spot.
The Boston Celtics were sold to private equity mogul Bill Chisholm for over $6.1 billion, with the transaction giving him an ownership stake of at least 51% until full control in 2028. This change in ownership could bring a shift in strategy and potentially impact player transfers and signings.
The NBA has also seen franchise relocations, with the Minneapolis Lakers moving to Los Angeles, the Philadelphia Warriors to San Francisco, and the St. Louis Hawks moving to Atlanta, all contributing to the dynamic nature of the league.
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NBA Draft
The NBA draft is an annual event where teams that did not make the playoffs in the past year participate in a state-lottery-style process to determine the order of player picks in the draft. The NBA introduced the lottery process in 1985 to counter accusations that certain teams were intentionally losing games to gain a chance to participate in the annual coin flip. The NBA draft lottery determines the order of the top 14 picks, known as the lottery picks. The team with the worst record gets the best odds of receiving the first pick.
The NBA goes to great lengths to ensure that the selection process is fair and not tampered with. The actual lottery procedure takes place in a separate room just before the national broadcast, and attendees are not allowed cell phones or any other electronic devices until the number-one pick is revealed on TV. All thirty teams have at least one draft pick throughout the two draft rounds. Teams are allowed to trade draft picks, with all of a team's first and second-round draft picks in the next seven drafts being tradable.
The NBA draft is a complex process that involves the draft lottery, the training process, and draft day. College players who have completed their four-year college eligibility are automatically eligible for selection, while underclassmen must declare their eligibility and give up their remaining college eligibility. International players who are at least 22 years old are automatically eligible, while those under 22 must declare their eligibility.
The 2025 NBA Draft saw the Dallas Mavericks secure the No. 1 pick, selecting Duke player Cooper Flagg. Other top prospects included Dylan Harper (Rutgers), VJ Edgecombe (Baylor), and Tre Johnson (Texas).
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