Help Needed: NBA Trends

[GoEagles]

Howdy!

I'm doing a Sports Marketing assignment which analyses the NBA and it's industry from a strategic perspective.

I've been doing a bit of searching on the Internet but need a bit more information, so thats why I'm here and how you guys can help me!

The part that I'm looking at is the industry within which the NBA operates. So basically who are the NBA's major competitors, what are the current trends and what is the market potential for the future of the game.

I've got some statistics on crowd figures of the NBA compared with the NFL, MLB & NHL from 1970-2001 (Interesting that NBA was down 1% in 2001, but surely would have increased in 2002 for Michael Jordon's comeback).

As for market potential, I was thinking of ways they could improve the college system and to keep the kids in college for longer and gain more experience, so they won't have to look for overseas imports. Also the Asian market I believe will expand - Yao Ming was taken by the Houston Rockets, the NBA is becoming more global with an increase in European players.

Would love to hear what you want to say (feel free to also add any points on how the NBA is successful from it's competitors) and add any links you think might be interesting.

 

[Iverson]

Well just from my knowledge basketball is the most played team sport in America with 27million players.

The NBA is definitely not as hot as what it use to be especially in the 1990-1998 period. A lot has to due with too many high school rookies and the lack of team play in the game - thats why they allowed to zone defence in to facilitate more team play.

Here is an article from ESPN on why the NFL is hotter than the NBA http://espn.go.com/page2/s/wiley/020919.html

Strategically the NBA is better placed than its other 3 major American sports. Basketball is the second most played sport around the world after soccer. It has a global appeal with allows the NBA to sell its product to almost every country in the world. Everybody on every country has heard about Michael Jordan and NBA merchandise is a popular item.

 

[eagleskickass]

whats the average crowd to an NBA game? Like roughly how many people?

 

[coxon]

2001-02 NBA Average Attendance Rankings

Home Gms Avg
1. Spurs 41..... 22,107
2. Wizards 41..... 20,674
3. 76ers 41..... 20,560
4. Raptors 41..... 19,784
5. Knicks 41..... 19,763

41 games at home... 41 games on the road..


havent found 2002-03 attendances yet

 

[Portmanteau]

Originally posted by coxon
2001-02 NBA Average Attendance Rankings

Home Gms Avg
1. Spurs 41..... 22,107
2. Wizards 41..... 20,674
3. 76ers 41..... 20,560
4. Raptors 41..... 19,784
5. Knicks 41..... 19,763

41 games at home... 41 games on the road..


havent found 2002-03 attendances yet

What's the capacity of the Laker's home stadium? Surely they'd sell out most games... it's the place to be seen.

 

[coxon]

yeh, i think they practically sell out each game...

but, the staples center capacity is 18,997 (another site stated 18,694)

 

[King Crow]

Originally posted by GoEagles


As for market potential, I was thinking of ways they could improve the college system and to keep the kids in college for longer and gain more experience, so they won't have to look for overseas imports. Also the Asian market I believe will expand - Yao Ming was taken by the Houston Rockets, the NBA is becoming more global with an increase in European players.

I think European plaeyrs are being drafted because they offer something different. For example, you wont get too many 7 footers that are american that have the skill level of say a Dirk Nowitzki, Niko Tsiakitshvilli.

I dont really think theres a problem with the college system anymore, and I think college ballers have the option now to finish their last yr of College even though they have been drafted.

Now you also see alot of players boycotting College, for the early cash and stardom.... good examples are
In 2001, the top 4 picks, 3 were high schoolers. In 2003, LeBron James, who hasnt even finished High school, is an automatic #1 pick, and wouldve been #1 this yr if he was allowed entry into the draft. Other high schoolers who have skipped College include Garnett, Kobe, Rashard Lewis etc.

The NBA is all about Potential these days, overseas players and these high schoolers, are a favourite of NBA scouts and GM'S.

 

[Iverson]

The problem with having all these High Schoolers in the NBA is that fans don't like it.

The standard of the NBA has dropped in last 5 yrs. Too many young players without college experience are ruining the stardard of play.

The European guys that come in are better skilled and better team players because they do their time in the European basketball league.

The High Schoolers these days seem happy just to be in the NBA and to have the flashy cars and the money and have their name on the back of their jersey.

Many of these guys don't have a strong work ethic and lack a sense of team play. Many don't play for an NBA championship but just play for the millions.

The NBA at the moment is lacking the TRUE stars that built the NBA to what it is in the late 80's and early 90's.

Bird, Magic, Jordan, Barkley, Malone, Ewing, Robinson, Miller, Pippen, Kevin Johnson, Isiah Thomas, Bernard King, Olajuwan, Drexler, Wilkens, Joe Dumars, Hardaway, Chambers, Stockton, and many more.

These guys are what made the NBA great before, because they played to WIN and not the money.

Its going to take sometime before the NBA gets back to being were it was - hottest sport in the US.

 

[jod23]

Originally posted by Iverson
The problem with having all these High Schoolers in the NBA is that fans don't like it.

The standard of the NBA has dropped in last 5 yrs. Too many young players without college experience are ruining the stardard of play.

The European guys that come in are better skilled and better team players because they do their time in the European basketball league.

The High Schoolers these days seem happy just to be in the NBA and to have the flashy cars and the money and have their name on the back of their jersey.

Many of these guys don't have a strong work ethic and lack a sense of team play. Many don't play for an NBA championship but just play for the millions.

The NBA at the moment is lacking the TRUE stars that built the NBA to what it is in the late 80's and early 90's.

Bird, Magic, Jordan, Barkley, Malone, Ewing, Robinson, Miller, Pippen, Kevin Johnson, Isiah Thomas, Bernard King, Olajuwan, Drexler, Wilkens, Joe Dumars, Hardaway, Chambers, Stockton, and many more.

These guys are what made the NBA great before, because they played to WIN and not the money.

Its going to take sometime before the NBA gets back to being were it was - hottest sport in the US.

Good post!

 

[CURVE]

Originally posted by Iverson
The problem with having all these High Schoolers in the NBA is that fans don't like it.

The standard of the NBA has dropped in last 5 yrs. Too many young players without college experience are ruining the stardard of play.

The European guys that come in are better skilled and better team players because they do their time in the European basketball league.

The High Schoolers these days seem happy just to be in the NBA and to have the flashy cars and the money and have their name on the back of their jersey.

Many of these guys don't have a strong work ethic and lack a sense of team play. Many don't play for an NBA championship but just play for the millions.

The NBA at the moment is lacking the TRUE stars that built the NBA to what it is in the late 80's and early 90's.

Bird, Magic, Jordan, Barkley, Malone, Ewing, Robinson, Miller, Pippen, Kevin Johnson, Isiah Thomas, Bernard King, Olajuwan, Drexler, Wilkens, Joe Dumars, Hardaway, Chambers, Stockton, and many more.

These guys are what made the NBA great before, because they played to WIN and not the money.

Its going to take sometime before the NBA gets back to being were it was - hottest sport in the US.

Spot on

 

[Dingster]

Originally posted by Iverson
The standard of the NBA has dropped in last 5 yrs. Too many young players without college experience are ruining the stardard of play.

I've read about many veteran players complaining about this, but Stern hasn't reacted. Good point Iverson.

 

[King Crow]

It works both ways...

High schoolers bring more excitement to the game aswell...

Kobe, T-Mac, Rashard, Miles, Curry, Chandler, Bender.. and soon to be LeBron.. thats just roughly off the top of my head

High schoolers are good for the game

C'mon... who would rather have College seniors running (walking ) around the court, than high flying High Schoolers!

 

[GoEagles]

Thanks guys!

Will post my findings and recommendations on improving the NBA in a few days time.

 

[jod23]

Originally posted by GoEagles
Thanks guys!

Will post my findings and recommendations on improving the NBA in a few days time.

Look forward to it. Dont forget to add Michael Jordan's impact on the game into your findings.