Flipping through the channels the other night, I finally saw something that looked interesting. The title read “basketball,” so I clicked on it. While the NBA still works on a deal, the only basketball on television was a WNBA charity game to raise money for breast cancer. Although I don’t follow the WNBA enough to recognize many of the names, the players were former champions, MVP’s, and All-Stars. Despite the NBA’s many community efforts, the WNBA was doing something far too rare for their male counterparts in the NBA. So, it got me thinking: when the NBA resumes, what are some great ways for the league to win back its fans and even win over some new ones?
1. NBA All-Star Charity Game to Combat a Disease
In light of what a classy move the WNBA makes year-after-year, I think the NBA should follow suit. Find a health issue that affects many Americans, like obesity or heart disease, a major health concern among African Americans, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Then, plan a charity game with a bunch of great players, like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett, and bingo, you’ve got a great story that will not only result in the league donating lots of money to a charitable cause, but it will entertain and warm the hearts of basketball fans worldwide.
2. NBA All-Star Charity Game to Combat Poverty
In this climate of people losing their jobs, not having enough money to pay their bills, and protesting economic inequality, as seen in the Occupy Wall Street Movement, the NBA lockout has not escaped the scrutiny of those with far more to worry about than how big or small a chunk of millions or billions of dollars players or owners will get in the next CBA. In fact, this squabbling at this exact time has had a negative impact on how people view the league. How can the NBA build a bridge to those fans severely affected by the current economic recession? Easy, do another charity game, but this time donate the money to poor and less fortunate individuals.
3. NBA Celebrity Jeopardy
Actors and athletes have done Jeopardy before, but I can’t even remember the last time I saw a current NBA player on the show, although author and Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was on the show in 2009. Appearances like this would help to counter act perceptions of the NBA as merely ‘thug.’
4. Incentive for Hustle in Players’ Contracts
Players already have financial incentives for individual accomplishments and their team making the playoffs. But, to add excitement and get rid of the perception of laziness, financial incentives for hustle and effort plays should be included in players’ contracts.
5. Auction off Discount Tickets to High School Students
In addition to NBA Cares programs like “Read to Achieve,” the NBA could improve their image and probably gain new fans by auctioning or raffling off discounted tickets to high school and college students.
So if that is a start, what else should the NBA do to win back fans and gain new ones?
Rob S. De France is a College and University instructor of English Composition living in Los Angeles. He has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Rhetoric, Composition, and Writing. De France has played, coached, and officiated competitive high school basketball in California for many years. Recently, De France, his wife, and another colleague started an internationally read magazine at Shwibly.com.
