Adam Silver throws shade at other networks’ NBA Cup coverage

NBA commissioner Adam Silver took advantage of the success NBA Cup yes deliver an emphatic message to skeptics about the league’s streaming future, relying on large numbers of viewers Amazon Prime Video while outlining a transformative next chapter for the league.

Speaking before the NBA Cup championship game between New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, Silver withdrew the concern that moving games to streaming platforms would dilute interest. Instead, he presented the season-long tournament as proof that the league’s evolving media strategy is working and working loudly.

Saturday night’s NBA Cup semifinal average 1.67 million viewers on Prime Videoa 14% increase over last year, while the doubleheader generated more than 400 million social media views across platforms, a 126% jump over the previous year. For Srebro, those figures were as important as the trophy.

“Going to a streaming service didn’t stop fans from watching,” Silver said, noting that the Cup has become a showcase not just for the competition, but for how the NBA reaches fans in a changing media landscape.

The commissioner also revealed that the league is open to moving the NBA Cup championship from Las Vegas in the coming years, with “recognized college arenas” among the options being considered. Starting next season, the semi-final matches will be hosted by the top seeds, which will further reshape the identity of the tournament.

Adam Silver had more to share about the future of the NBA

While the Cup dominated the spotlight, Silver also provided the clearest timeline yet for domestic expansion, saying the league will set a date of 2026. Las Vegas and Seattle remain the leading contenders if the NBA expands from 30 to 32 teams.

“It’s no secret that we’re looking at this market in Las Vegas. We’re looking at Seattle,” Silver said, noting the economic complexity of dividing the league’s capital among additional franchises.

Silver touched on several other league issues, including optimism that the WNBA and its players will reach a new labor agreement, continued exploration of a potential NBA league in Europe with FIBA ​​and his disappointment with how Chris Paul’s departure from the Los Angeles Clippers went.

Still, a string of Silver comments returned to the NBA Cup, a tournament once met with skepticism that now represents the center of the league’s future. With growing ratings, massive digital engagement and a growing identity, Cup has become Silver’s strongest rebuttal yet to critics of streaming and change.