ABC/ESPN sign deal with NBA; how will this affect the IRL?

[Ren Butler]

I wonder how this will affect the IRL in the future. Probably not too much at all, but don't forget that the season can run well into June...

Full story:
http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2002/0122/1315389.html

In brief:

"The NBA has a new six-year TV deal with ABC, ESPN and AOL Time Warner. Beginning next season, ABC will air Sunday games, playoff games and the NBA Finals. ESPN will show Wednesday and Friday games, plus the playoffs. TNT will show Thursday games, the All-Star game and playoffs. AOL Time Warner/NBA will air regular season and playoff games."

[mnkywrch]

It means the IRL will have races either before the NBA game, or after the NBA game.

As far as ESPN/ESPN2, the IRL gets pushed down the ladder, UNLESS they (both the IRL and ABC) start marketing the series better.

The IRL needs to drop some coin into TV commercials.

It means IRL fans will be pulling their hair out when a close game with 55 seconds left takes 25 minutes to finish and the IRL race coverage cuts in after 23 laps.

[ovals rule]

IMO it could be a good opportunity for some cross promotion. While the potential of a game running long is there hopefully that will be the exception rather than the rule.

Maybe even some of the unfunded teams can pick up a race weekend sponsorship from the local NBA franchise!

[rodneyh]

Originally posted by ovals rule:
IMO it could be a good opportunity for some cross promotion. While the potential of a game running long is there hopefully that will be the exception rather than the rule.

I agree, there is the opportunity, but not sure if it's ABC's priority. ABC/ESPN has another more important investment, unlike open wheel racing, is surging = XGames. They get better ratings. Even, the knockoff Gravity Games did a 1.4 against the NFL several weeks ago. Plus, it's a better marketshare of that all important youth demographic.

It might be funny to see a Shaq trying to fit into an Indycar, but they probably will go with him in the street luge or Tony Hawk skateboarding on the basketball court.

Either way, ratings should at least get a bump with leadins or following the game, but as has been mentioned, those fouls and timeouts and of cutting back for taped interviews...

[IndyRob]

The deal indicated that ABC will only telvise up to 15 games on Sunday's. There's a good chance there will not be any conflict on race day Sundays.

[Parsons W. Newbury]

Do you think this means Shaq will do a one-off at Indy?

[JoeBob]

The NBA regular season runs from October until Mid-April. The playoffs then run until June.

ABC will air 15 regular season games on Sunday afternoons, plus 5 playoff games and the NBA finals.

ESPN/ESPN will run one conference finals series exclusively, 22 playoff games in the first two rounds. 75 regular season games (one on Wed, doubleheaders on Fri) and the games on holidays (Christmas, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Presidents Day)

The potential conflicts for the IRL are the 15 ABC Sunday games and the playoffs. The ABC games really depend on when ABC airs their 15 games. If its early season, no problem. Late season could be more of a problem.

The fact that the NBA playoffs are in May, when a large number of the conflicts would take place should help a bunch, as the IRL is in Indy, and practice/qualifying usually jumps around on the networks anyway.

If ABC signed a deal with Major League Baseball to air Sunday afternoon games, the IRL would have much bigger issues to worry about. But, they didn't!

[mnkywrch]

Originally posted by Parsons W. Newbury:
<STRONG>Do you think this means Shaq will do a one-off at Indy?</STRONG>

Doing what - fighting A.J.?

[bigred]

Originally posted by JoeBob:
<STRONG>

The potential conflicts for the IRL are the 15 ABC Sunday games and the playoffs. The ABC games really depend on when ABC airs their 15 games. If its early season, no problem. Late season could be more of a problem.
</STRONG>

Expect ABC's Sunday games to start around Christmas time and running until the end of the regular season. That is what NBC has done for the last decade or so.

I would think conflicts would be minor - if any. Maybe a noon game and a 3-4 west coast race here and there.

The NBA serves little value to the IRL for cross promoting.

[Grinder-Tank]

I think there will be little conflict. What conflict does occur will be solved with tape delay.

The IRL and NBA on ABC. It could be a blessing, especially if 310 gets up to speed.

[IRL FANatic]

Originally posted by Grinder-Tank:
<STRONG>The IRL and NBA on ABC. It could be a blessing, especially if 310 gets up to speed.</STRONG>

Don't forget about Brayton Racing with Sprewell!

[AdamM]

Not much effect on the IRL at all. It looks like ABC/ESPN are going to swap hockey for the NBA. - No big deal either way.

[Defender]

Heck, why don't we have Tony blow ABC off, then negotiate a time buy with a niche cable network in 2% of U.S. households, ask one of the big three if we can buy time up to seven times a year, then try to pass it all off as the greatest TV package in the history of mankind?