NBA Reportedly Considering New Site for In-Season Cup Final
nba-reportedly-considering-new-site-for-in-season-cup-final
The NBA is seriously weighing a plan to move its in-season tournament championship game out of Las Vegas starting with the 2024-25 season, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.
League executives are said to be unhappy with the atmosphere generated by a neutral-site final, believing it has not matched expectations for crowd energy and engagement. The concern follows three seasons in which eight Cup games held in Las Vegas drew several less-than-capacity crowds.
In September, the league announced that this season would be the last in which both the semifinals and final are staged at a neutral location. Officials have also observed a noticeable dip in intensity compared with quarterfinal matchups, which are played on the home courts of higher-seeded teams.
While the venue is under review, the NBA considers the tournament broadly successful, noting increased attention early in the regular season and positive feedback from players, Bontemps reported. Possible adjustments include bringing the semifinals and final back to team arenas or selecting an alternate host city.
This year’s event will finish as scheduled, with the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs set to play for the NBA Cup on Tuesday night in Las Vegas.
Source: Hoops Wire
