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Afternoon Edition

June 12, 2025

Yes, NBA Finals ratings are way down. But after an exciting Game 3 Pacers win, the series looks like it could be long and competitive. That’s very good news for the league—and ESPN parent company Disney.

— Colin Salao [[link removed]], Eric Fisher [[link removed]], and David Rumsey [[link removed]]

Why Pacers Game 3 Win Could Help Reverse NBA Ratings Trend [[link removed]]

Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

INDIANAPOLIS — “Pacers in five! Pacers in five!” shouted some Indiana fans, perhaps with the rush of adrenaline and some liquid courage, within the halls of Gainbridge Fieldhouse moments after Indiana took a 2–1 series lead in the NBA Finals.

The bold prediction was not as prevalently expressed around the streets of Indianapolis just a few hours before Game 3. But on Wednesday night, the Pacers are now just two wins away from clinching the 2025 NBA Finals, which was once considered one of the most lopsided in history [[link removed]].

Indiana, however, is still not favored to win despite a 2–1 lead and home court advantage. DraftKings has the Pacers at +185 to win the series [[link removed]], while the Thunder are -220, essentially 2-to-1 favorites. But that’s a far cry from -700 before Game 1 and -525 before Game 3.

This series is officially competitive—and that’s a win for the Pacers, the NBA, and particularly ESPN/Disney.

Ratings Recovery?

The 2025 NBA Finals viewership hit a historic low [[link removed]] through the first two games. The series has lacked the ingredients to attract viewers: big market franchises, marketable stars (even with 2025 MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), and an ostensibly competitive series.

The first two games have averaged about 8.84 million viewers, down around 30% from last year’s series between the Luka Dončić–led Mavericks and Jayson Tatum–led Celtics. That number is less than half of the first two games of the 2018 Finals, the last time Steph Curry and the Warriors played LeBron James and the Lakers.

It’s unlikely Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton will achieve the stardom of their predecessors, at least within this 2025 Finals. (NBA commissioner Adam Silver essentially admitted so himself before Game 1 [[link removed]].) But a more competitive series at least provides one of the ingredients needed to pull more fans and perhaps bridge the gap with last year’s numbers.

A competitive series also means a longer one—and volume is a win for ESPN, the league’s NBA Finals broadcast partner. Even with low ratings, nearly 9 million viewers per game is a massive number for a live TV broadcast (outside of the NFL, at least). This series is guaranteed to last five games and will likely push to at least six.

Other Winners

A longer series also means additional gate revenue for both teams. The average purchase price for the NBA Finals [[link removed]] before the series started was $1,147, per TickPick. While that’s down 25% from last year—when games were played in Dallas and Boston—an extra game still means tens of millions of revenue for both the Thunder and Pacers from tickets, merchandise, and concession sales.

Players looking to boost their stock also have more opportunities with the additional games. Game 3 hero Bennedict Mathurin is extension-eligible this summer [[link removed]], and his performances could make him more valuable, even though Indiana is already expected to enter the luxury tax for the first time in two decades [[link removed]].

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS LIVE

Hang Out in the Hamptons

Summer is here and Front Office Sports is headed back to the Hamptons.

On Aug. 1, Huddle in the Hamptons [[link removed]] with official partner UBS will bring together business leaders in sports, entertainment, media, finance, and technology for an afternoon of panels, networking, and activities.

This invite-only experience for VIPs, tastemakers, athletes, and power brokers will be a quintessential summer Friday, consisting of thought leadership, engaging brand activations, and networking over friendly competition.

Learn more about the event, request to attend, or become a partner here [[link removed]].

$3.8B Commanders Stadium Deal at Risk Over Political Rift [[link removed]]

District of Columbia

As the Commanders look to advance their $3.8 billion plan to build a new venue [[link removed]] at the site of the former home of RFK Stadium, the issue has devolved into a political back-and-forth between the District of Columbia’s top two officials.

Less than two months after first completing the stadium deal with Commanders owner Josh Harris, D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser said that delays by the D.C. Council to approve the latest budget are already imperiling a plan for the facility targeted for a 2030 opening.

“A delay sacrifices our exclusive seat at the table and $2.7 million in private investment,” Bowser said. “The Commanders and my team are ready to iron out the details with the Council and respond to any concerns. It should be clear, but let me emphasize: If the Council strips the deal terms or budgeted dollars from the budget, it kills our agreement with the Commanders.”

The agreement between Bowser and the Commanders does require preliminary approval of the stadium plan by July 15, at which point the team would be able to talk with other jurisdictions. Neighboring Maryland and Virginia have made separate pushes toward a new stadium, but never got as far in negotiations as D.C.

D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson, already a skeptic [[link removed]] of the $1.1 billion in public support targeted for the Commanders stadium and related infrastructure, called Bowser’s comments inaccurate. He also said, despite the language in the stadium deal, there is more time to work with than what Bowser suggests.

“The Commanders have said the earliest they would need the District’s money and go to the bond markets to finance construction is next summer,” Mendelson said. “We will work within the Commanders’ 2030 timetable.”

Bigger Dispute

Part of the backdrop of the political battle between the two officials is Bowser’s late May delivery of a proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, weeks later than expected and a particular source of public frustration for Mendelson, as he claimed it has unduly compressed the Council’s legislative work to fund the upcoming year.

Along similar lines, Mendelson has frequently balked at the prospect of reviewing and voting on an agreement as large as the Commanders’ stadium in just a matter of weeks, but he still pledged to move the governing body he leads as fast as possible.

“I have heard over and over from citizens and fellow councilmembers that the Council should do due diligence of this multibillion-dollar deal before voting to approve it,” he said. “The Council will move forward quickly to analyze the mayor’s terms, improve the deal where possible for taxpayers, and approve a new football stadium. Any suggestions to the contrary are simply false.”

Ice, Ice, Maybe: Atlanta’s $3B NHL Arena Project Approved [[link removed]]

Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images

Even without a formal expansion process in place, a potential NHL return to Atlanta took another sizable step forward late Wednesday as officials in suburban Forsyth County, Ga., approved plans for a $3 billion development that would include an 18,000-seat, league-ready arena for a new franchise.

Commissioners in the county, located in the northeast part of the Atlanta region, have moved forward on The Gathering at South Forsyth, a 100-acre, mixed-use proposal from local car dealer and developer Vernon Krause that would also feature residential, retail, hospitality, and entertainment spaces.

“This vote marks a catalytic step forward in bringing this visionary project to life,” Krause said. “Our team is more energized than ever as we prepare to meet with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to discuss possible expansion.”

The NHL, however, has not committed to expanding to Atlanta or adding any franchises at all beyond the current 32. Before the start of the ongoing Stanley Cup Final between the Panthers and Oilers, league deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the expansion question will be handled on a case-by-case basis [[link removed]].

“If somebody wants to essentially apply for an expansion franchise and has all the requisite elements that we would look for in an expansion franchise, we would raise it with the Board of Governors and see if they have any interest in it,” Daly said. “There are some people we’ve talked to more than others, but there’s a lot of interest, which I think we’re gratified with.”

Along similar lines, the NHL has been very careful not to comment prematurely on any specific proposal.

Prior History

Atlanta will need to overcome the history of two prior, separately owned NHL franchises that left for Canada. The Flames played in the former Omni Coliseum from 1972 to 1980 before relocating to Calgary. The Thrashers were at what is now State Farm Arena, also in downtown Atlanta, from 1999 to 2011, but then moved to Winnipeg to become the second iteration of the Jets.

Such a legacy of multiple departures, however, is not necessarily a dealbreaker. Washington again has a Major League Baseball franchise with the Nationals after two prior versions of the Senators relocated, and Los Angeles is back in the NFL with the Rams and Chargers after those teams previously left the market.

Atlanta, meanwhile, continues to grow in population and national importance and has risen to the No. 7 U.S. media market. The Forsyth County proposal will tap into that broader notion, pushing a more exurban plan, as The Gathering location is more than 30 miles from downtown Atlanta. The Braves’ presence in Cobb County serves as a model for not only the neighboring NHL advocates but also many other pro teams with its influential mixed-use development, the Battery. That complex, which includes Truist Park, however, is half the distance to downtown.

“We look forward to continuing our work with the development team to ensure The Gathering becomes a model for regional growth and innovation,” said Forsyth County manager David McKee.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS TODAY Stanley Cup Fallout With TNT’s Kenny Albert

FOS illustration

Ahead of calling Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final and his 1,486th national game, TNT’s Kenny Albert joins Baker Machado and Derryl Barnes on Front Office Sports Today to talk about passing his dad, Marv Albert, for second all-time in games called. He also weighs in on the Panthers’ chance to repeat and keep their team together in the offseason—specifically their breakout star, Sam Bennett.

Plus, Jeff Gordon talks about NASCAR’s future and its rapid international expansion ahead of a Cup Series in Mexico City, and he discusses his new documentary that covers NASCAR’s race at Le Mans.

Also, the Pacers are still booked as underdogs in the NBA Finals, MetLife finally gets a grass field (for now), and Grand Slam Track may be on its last hurdle.

Watch the full episode here [[link removed]].

STATUS REPORT One Up, One Down, Two Push

Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images

Wimbledon ⬆ The Grand Slam tournament will have a record purse of nearly $73 million (£53.5 million), a 7% increase from last year. The men’s and women’s singles champions will take home close to $4.1 million (£3 million), an 11% increase from last year.

Bengals ⬇ Shemar Stewart, the team’s 2025 first-round pick, left mandatory minicamp Thursday [[link removed]] due to a contract dispute. According to ESPN, the dispute involves language in the contract that could affect guaranteed money. Cincinnati is also navigating tense negotiations with star defensive end Trey Hendrickson [[link removed]].

Royals ⬆⬇ Like the Chiefs, the MLB club was noncommittal about its future in Missouri after the state’s House of Representatives approved a stadium funding measure for the teams [[link removed]] Wednesday. While the Chiefs are considering a renovation of Arrowhead Stadium among their options, the Royals are more focused on a new ballpark. “As we said from the beginning of the legislature’s deliberations, their work is a very important piece of our decision-making process. Now that both houses have voted and the bill is headed to the governor’s desk, we look forward to evaluating the plan in full detail,” the Royals said.

Matt Vogt ⬆⬇ The dentist who qualified for the U.S. Open [[link removed]] shot 82 (12 over par) in the first round Thursday, but he has a new sponsorship deal with California-based nonalcoholic beer company Best Day Brewing. He will be repping its logo on his shirt, which will run for the remainder of this year.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS HONORS

In a League of Your Own

The Most Innovative Leagues Award [[link removed]] will recognize sports leagues transcending the traditional boundaries of the stadium and broadcast experience.

They’re the leagues revolutionizing fandom through strategic alliances and emerging technologies, ensuring countless ways for audiences to connect while developing bold new formats that keep fans hyped well beyond game day.

They’re also embracing and catering to the modern fan, The Fluid Fan™, who may come through a nontraditional gateway of fandom, but who is a fan nonetheless.

From gamers to foodies, or even Swifties, the Most Innovative Leagues will provide an experience that reflects—and acquires—the next generation of fans.

Think your league deserves to be recognized? Nominate them now [[link removed]].

Don’t wait—nominations close June 22 at 11:55 p.m. ET.

Conversation Starters MetLife Stadium has installed an all-grass field as it prepares to host the Club World Cup. It will also be required to have grass when it hosts games for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Check it out [[link removed]]. Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV wore a White Sox cap at the Vatican. Take a look [[link removed]]. Saquon Barkley led the NFL in jersey sales last year, the first time a non-QB was No. 1 since the 2016–17 season. Here’s the top 10 [[link removed]]. Editors’ Picks Grand Slam Track Cancels Los Angeles Meet As $30 Million Track Start-Up Wobbles [[link removed]]by Daniel Kaplan [[link removed]]Sources close to Grand Slam insist money is not an issue. Ted Leonsis Says His $7B Sports Empire Beats the NFL Model [[link removed]]by Ava Hult [[link removed]]Why synergy is the future of sports ownership. Pacers Game 3 Heroes Make Big Impact at Low Cost [[link removed]]by Alex Schiffer [[link removed]]T.J. McConnell and Bennedict Mathurin make less than $20 million combined. Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Events [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Shows [[link removed]] Written by Colin Salao [[link removed]], Eric Fisher [[link removed]], David Rumsey [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Or Moyal [[link removed]], Catherine Chen [[link removed]]

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