Eyeing $20,000,000,000 Reveune in the Upcoming Season, How Far Away Is NBA From the NFL’s Extortionate Earnings?

With the way current NBA superstars are signing the contracts and their ridiculous numbers that go into hundreds of millions, it would seem like it is the most profitable league. However, in between the supermax and veteran minimum deals, a lot of players are denied a chance to play. Because of this, the cap space issues have been in abundance. If the market cap is limited, then how does it soak in two supermax contracts? What room is left for mid-tier players where big deals are rare? These players also get traded. In this money-balancing project, the NFL still stands above the NBA. The sheer popularity of the game is notches ahead and, as a result, they have earned a lot more. 

This inter-league tussle for acquiring prime-time slots on major channels, online or offline, has created an interesting model of comparison. On one hand, NBA’s contracts look highly bloated and sometimes downright gasp-inducing. Among them, hide the minimum deals and their limitations. That’s why a discussion on comparison between these two leagues is important to note the revenue projections.

NFL Numbers are astounding

Investor Joe Pompliano shared a mountain of evidence for the NFL as the top-rated sport in the nation. As per him, the NFL has generated a whopping $20 billion in annual revenue. Each team is worth $4 billion. In comparison, the NBA has actually brought in huge numbers too. They have created a revenue of $10 billion, which is half of the NFL, but nonetheless, a highly impressive number. 

20 Million fans attended NFL games all over the States in 2022. But hold on, here is a thought. What about the 22 Million fans attending NBA games? A longer regular season is one of the reasons why more fans come out to watch the 30 Franchises spread across the USA. What about the TV numbers?

The Media Rights Deal

TV deals factor in when talking about revenue growth. The ticket sales are, of course, the plank on which these two leagues have built their platform. Box office material is important, to sell to the masses in a global manner. To promote the growth, the cable telecast, live stream, and means of accessing a game matter. This is an area where the NFL has put up an impressive performance.

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82 of the Top 100 TV programs are dominated by the NFL. This number strikes the chord and explains a $10 billion margin between the two leagues. This is why the NBA is eyeing the next media rights deal. The pull of the next broadcasting rights can sway as much as $10 billion in the direction of the NBA. ESPN and TNT currently holds the rights to the Finals and much of the Playoffs.

But the deal will be up after the 2024-25 season. Comcast, Apple TV, TNT, and ESPN itself, all can be in the running. The ladder to the media rights is just in motion. The next NBA cycles will determine how the NBA will come near the $20 Billion revenue. If the next media rights will bring in profits exceeding $70 billion over the years. The market remains red-hot for both commodities. 

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