As we speak the NBA is currently in negotiations to renew their television contract with both ESPN and TNT.
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While no deal is imminent and not expected for some time, the new deal could potentially be worth upwards of $2 billion dollars annually. If such proves to be the case, it’s very possible that the NBA (who may need to build a few Scrooge McDuck vaults) will significantly raise the salary cap.
Currently $63 million dollars, it is projected the salary cap may jump to $77 to $80 million dollars come the 2016-17 season.
.@SoCalWill80: ---> '15-'16 season salary cap projects to be $66 million --- the '16-'17 cap could fall between $77-$80 million
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) September 8, 2014
Obviously that’s a huge jump (the cap is expected to jump to $66 million next season as noted by Kyler) but it’s probably not as impressive as it sounds. Yes, the cap will go up (likely significantly) but it’s all relative considering the new CBA will also increase the maximum salary a player can receive.
Still, for a season or two the extra available salary cap funds (until player contracts catch up) will be a welcome addition for all in the league, especially deep pocketed franchises like the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls.
Currently the NBA’s television contract with ESPN and TNT brings in $930 million dollars so the jump to potentially $2 billion dollars would make an immediate impact across the league.
Good time to be commissioner Adam Silver, especially after the Los Angeles Clippers sold for $2 billion dollars.