After spending billions of dollars to ensure a safe restart to the hectic 2019-2020 season, the NBA was met with a 51% drop in NBA Finals ratings despite one of this generation’s greatest players vying for another championship. This left the league’s executives scratching their heads and asking, “Where do we go from here?”

In a summer that saw players speak out on social issues more than ever before, some conservative politicians suggested that the ratings drop was a direct result of players being more outspoken and using their platform to implement societal change. Although polls suggest that the ratings drop is not due to the increased social activism displayed by the players, the situation brings back memories of the messy situation involving Daryl Morey and LeBron James taking opposing stances on Hong Kong, which left the league embarrassed and in a position to lose substantial revenue and ratings after the Chinese government banned the airing of regular-season NBA games. While it is certain that the NBA does not exist without its players, the role of the player as an employee of the franchise presents an interesting dynamic, considering that players are the face of the league and are far more influential for international fans than the teams themselves. In this committee, delegates will discuss where exactly the league draws the line between the player representing and reflecting the views of the league and franchise, and the player’s rights as an individual. Additionally, this committee will discuss how the league and its franchises should address and discipline players for supporting ideas against the league’s view.

Other explanations for the massive ratings drop could be the growing frustration amongst fans regarding the current playoff format and rules that are in need of improvement. The debate about a change to the playoff format has been ongoing for many years, and the creation of a “play-in tournament” still doesn’t seem to address the primary concern that the playoff format favours teams in weaker conferences. This committee will work together to create a new playoff format that will look to revitalize enthusiasm among fans and hopefully increase the league’s ratings. This committee could also decide to explore other possible rule changes, including on the topics of referee reviews, tanking, forcing trades, hiring minority coaches, and more. The diversity in potential debate topics will ensure energetic debate on player rights, social justice, business, and certainly, basketball.

The Dais is excited to meet all of the delegates at SSUNS 2021!

If you have any questions regarding the committee, please feel free to email us at sa@ssuns.org