3 things Adam Silver needs to address to avoid media face-off with players from destroying renewed fan interest

Over the past couple of years, the NBA suffered a steady decline in viewership. The primary reason for that was a boring game and the lack of superstars to make it interesting. At the same time, commissioner Adam Silver was working with his team to figure out ways to improve those ratings.

Considering the $78 billion media rights deal was about to kick in, the lackluster viewership numbers were bound to come to the notice of the deal-clinching networks. Silver and his team knew the game had to improve from just being a three-point shooting contest.

But other than that, the often-conversed topic has been about the negative discourse outside of the game. One journalist from FOX Sports suggested that the constant criticism from veteran analysts was a major cause for concern.

When fans constantly listen to a veteran journalist or former player critique players and/or teams, it starts to paint the narrative that the league is bad. That will lead fans to believe that it is not worth watching and then, they move on to other forms of sports. But Silver needs to address this problem soon.

Adam Silver has to speak with heads of partner networks

After LeBron James spoke up, attention has been drawn to the criticism veteran analysts have continuously spewed. The likes of Stephen A. Smith, Skip Bayless and Charles Barkley come to mind as there is enough proof showing how they have critiqued current players when comparing them to past greats.

But for any sport to thrive, media has to embrace the current generation. It is evident in other forms of sports such as the NFL, NHL, MLB and other world sports such as soccer and athletics. It is not that there aren’t any instances where former athletes critique the current era.

However, those instances are far and few. Many of those who are overtly critical have been phased out or limited on networks. But in the NBA’s instance, Smith, Bayless and Barkley have grown to become important pieces of their broadcast.

Skip Bayless has left FOX Sports. Nowadays his podcast serves as his only source of commentary. But the others have signed major contracts and will be at the forefront of NBA broadcasts. Therefore, Adam Silver has to either speak with them directly, or better, meet with network heads.

Only network heads can reel this in, as otherwise, this discourse will be difficult to stop. If Silver can convince the network heads that overall, this will impact the future of the league, they could be convinced. As otherwise, network producers are doing all they can to milk the current situation.

Involve the players union

Another option Adam Silver can approach is to involve the NBPA. The players union has representatives who understand what the situation is all about. If they can speak with the players to dampen down their arguments with the media, it could help in slowing down the narrative.

But players do like to speak freely, especially in situations where they want to give their opinion. For instance, in this case, LeBron James revealed what he thought the players are feeling. But continuing along that path will introduce a discourse that could infuriate media members as well.

This has to be a two-way street where both the media and the players take the hostilities down a notch. Otherwise, the NBA could implode, and Silver might be forced to resort to an action that he or the players might not like.

Start a new discourse with NBC and Amazon

If the likes of Stephen A. Smith and other big name veteran analysts refuse to back down, Adam Silver could take another road. This involves working with its new partners, NBC and Amazon, to create a new discourse where they celebrate the current era.

Considering those two companies have more games combined under their belt every season, they could help turn the tide. In a way Silver and the NBA will not be doing right by ESPN, but if push comes to shove, there might not be another option.

Forcefully undermining one network could be a small price to pay for the larger long-term gain. It will be easier since NBC and Amazon have recruited former players who have recently left the game or are at least a bit more lenient. It is a major shift when compared to the much older Smith and Barkley.

The NBA needs this meltdown to end soon. If James and other players continue to voice their frustrations, it will only continue this discourse. The league has suddenly found renewed interest in its game. To help it continue, this discourse has to end soon.

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