The NBA is exploring the idea of staging next season’s NBA Cup championship game somewhere other than Las Vegas, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
People briefed on the matter told ESPN that league officials are reconsidering the neutral-site format after noticing limited attendance and subdued atmospheres during the eight Cup games held in Las Vegas over the past three years.
The in-season tournament, now in its third year, has otherwise met Commissioner Adam Silver’s original goals of boosting early-season interest and offering a significant financial incentive. Each player on the winning team earns more than $500,000.
“I think there’s excitement around it,” Washington Wizards guard and former NBPA president CJ McCollum said last month. “You understand the magnitude of it … the court, the ball, the jerseys … the NBA has bought in, sponsors have bought in, the players have provided outstanding performances.”
In September, the league had already announced that starting next season the semifinals and final would no longer be held at a neutral venue. The latest deliberations focus on selecting a new site for the championship game specifically, aiming to capture the energy seen during quarterfinals hosted in team arenas.
No timetable has been set for a final decision, and the league has not publicly commented on potential replacement cities.
Source: ESPN.com
