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The Spirit of $76 Billion

A candid chat with ESPN’s Brian Windhorst about the NBA’s next frontier after its massive $76 billion rights deal—its attempt to make it big in Europe, potentially dip into the Middle Eastern sovereign wealth fund pot, and set up a true Champions League–style format.

Brian Windhorst
"I don’t think the quality of the NBA game has ever been better—the skill, the speed of the game—my concern is that the fans aren’t connecting with the next generation as well," says ESPN's Brian Windhorst. Photo: Ben Solomon / ESPN Images
John Ourand
December 18, 2025

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By most business metrics, the NBA is in an enviable position. It’s just a few months into new media rights deals worth a collective $76 billion; early-season TV ratings are looking strong; and Adam Silver, the league’s commissioner, is poised to reveal ambitious expansion plans next year. Still, despite those good tidings, the NBA does have a few areas of concern. The league’s NBA Europe plans are in flux, even Silver acknowledges that he needs to tinker with the NBA Cup, and everyone is bracing for the coming retirements of superstars like LeBron James and Steph Curry.