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Basketball · Interesting Facts

Chapter 9: Fans, Media & Money

10 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 24 October 2026 · markdown

The business and the noise: famous calls, basketball on television, contracts, shoe deals, record auctions, owners, fans' traditions, giving back, cards and collectibles and video games.

9.91Famous Calls and Commentators

Johnny Most, Marv Albert, Gus Johnson, Dick Vitale, Chick Hearn and Mike Breen.

Test 1famous commentators and callsTake a test

  1. His gravelly voice called Boston games for 37 years.

    Source: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Curt Gowdy Media Award winners (hoophall.com); NBA (nba.com); ESPN (espn.com) · recall

  2. He called Knicks games for decades.

    Source: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Curt Gowdy Media Award winners (hoophall.com); NBA (nba.com); ESPN (espn.com) · recall

  3. His excitement made late-game moments louder still.

    Source: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Curt Gowdy Media Award winners (hoophall.com); NBA (nba.com); ESPN (espn.com) · recall

  4. He has called college games since 1979.

    Source: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Curt Gowdy Media Award winners (hoophall.com); NBA (nba.com); ESPN (espn.com) · recall

  5. He added that 'the door is closed, the lights are out'.

    Source: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Curt Gowdy Media Award winners (hoophall.com); NBA (nba.com); ESPN (espn.com) · recall

  6. It became one of college basketball's best-known calls.

    Source: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Curt Gowdy Media Award winners (hoophall.com); NBA (nba.com); ESPN (espn.com) · recall

  7. He uses it for first-year college stars.

    Source: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Curt Gowdy Media Award winners (hoophall.com); NBA (nba.com); ESPN (espn.com) · recall

  8. 1961, 1965 and 2006.

    Source: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Curt Gowdy Media Award winners (hoophall.com); NBA (nba.com); ESPN (espn.com) · recall

  9. CBS until 1990, NBC from 1991 and ABC from 2003.

    Source: NBA (nba.com) media releases; Nielsen ratings as reported by the NBA; Library of American Broadcasting · recall

  10. He often says it twice for the biggest shots.

    Source: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Curt Gowdy Media Award winners (hoophall.com); NBA (nba.com); ESPN (espn.com) · recall

9.92Basketball on Television

The first TV game, Turner's first deal, the most-watched Finals and the big TV deals.

Test 1basketball on televisionTake a test

  1. Very few people had a television set to watch it.

    Source: NBA (nba.com) media releases; Nielsen ratings as reported by the NBA; Library of American Broadcasting · recall

  2. Turner went on to show the NBA until 2025.

    Source: NBA (nba.com) media releases; Nielsen ratings as reported by the NBA; Library of American Broadcasting · recall

  3. About 36 million watched Jordan's last shot for Chicago.

    Source: NBA (nba.com) media releases; Nielsen ratings as reported by the NBA; Library of American Broadcasting · recall

  4. The deal runs for eleven seasons.

    Source: NBA (nba.com) media releases; Nielsen ratings as reported by the NBA; Library of American Broadcasting · recall

  5. It is the richest in the league's history.

    Source: NBA (nba.com) media releases; Nielsen ratings as reported by the NBA; Library of American Broadcasting · recall

  6. Local games stay with the regional broadcaster.

    Source: NBA (nba.com) media releases; Nielsen ratings as reported by the NBA; Library of American Broadcasting · recall

  7. Hundreds of millions follow the NBA there.

    Source: NBA (nba.com) media releases; Nielsen ratings as reported by the NBA; Library of American Broadcasting · recall

  8. 1940, 1980 and 1998.

    Source: NBA (nba.com) media releases; Nielsen ratings as reported by the NBA; Library of American Broadcasting · recall

  9. 1999, 2015 and 2025.

    Source: NBA (nba.com) media releases; Nielsen ratings as reported by the NBA; Library of American Broadcasting · recall

  10. A New York station showed a college double-header.

    Source: NBA (nba.com) media releases; Nielsen ratings as reported by the NBA; Library of American Broadcasting · recall

9.93Wages and Contracts Through Time

$100,001, a 25-year deal, the cap, the Bird exception and the lockouts.

Test 1pay and contractsTake a test

  1. He wanted to be paid one dollar more than Wilt.

    Source: NBA and NBPA collective bargaining histories (nba.com; nbpa.com) · recall

  2. The owner Jerry Buss called it a lifetime deal.

    Source: NBA and NBPA collective bargaining histories (nba.com; nbpa.com) · recall

  3. It was about $3.6 million per team.

    Source: NBA and NBPA collective bargaining histories (nba.com; nbpa.com) · recall

  4. Boston used it to keep him.

    Source: NBA and NBPA collective bargaining histories (nba.com; nbpa.com) · recall

  5. It was then the biggest deal in team sports.

    Source: NBA and NBPA collective bargaining histories (nba.com; nbpa.com) · recall

  6. It stayed the highest one-season salary for years.

    Source: NBA and NBPA collective bargaining histories (nba.com; nbpa.com) · recall

  7. The lockout lasted into January.

    Source: NBA and NBPA collective bargaining histories (nba.com; nbpa.com) · recall

  8. 1984, 1997 and 2017.

    Source: NBA and NBPA collective bargaining histories (nba.com; nbpa.com) · recall

  9. Only the last two cut games from the season.

    Source: NBA and NBPA collective bargaining histories (nba.com; nbpa.com) · recall

  10. It was $140.6 million.

    Source: NBA and NBPA collective bargaining histories (nba.com; nbpa.com) · recall

9.94Shoe Deals and Sponsors

Curry's switch, LeBron's lifetime deal, Kobe's first sponsor and Chinese brands.

Test 1shoe deals and sponsorsTake a test

  1. A Nike speaker mispronounced his name and a slide showed another player.

    Source: Company and team announcements (nike.com; underarmour.com; anta.com; lining.com; reebok.com); NBA (nba.com) · recall

  2. It was reported to be worth more than a billion dollars.

    Source: Company and team announcements (nike.com; underarmour.com; anta.com; lining.com; reebok.com); NBA (nba.com) · recall

  3. He moved to Nike in 2003.

    Source: Company and team announcements (nike.com; underarmour.com; anta.com; lining.com; reebok.com); NBA (nba.com) · recall

  4. His shoes sell well in China.

    Source: Company and team announcements (nike.com; underarmour.com; anta.com; lining.com; reebok.com); NBA (nba.com) · recall

  5. His line is called Way of Wade.

    Source: Company and team announcements (nike.com; underarmour.com; anta.com; lining.com; reebok.com); NBA (nba.com) · recall

  6. It shared his nickname.

    Source: Company and team announcements (nike.com; underarmour.com; anta.com; lining.com; reebok.com); NBA (nba.com) · recall

  7. It now dresses teams in other sports too.

    Source: Company and team announcements (nike.com; underarmour.com; anta.com; lining.com; reebok.com); NBA (nba.com) · recall

  8. About 1980, 1992 and 2013.

    Source: Company and team announcements (nike.com; underarmour.com; anta.com; lining.com; reebok.com); NBA (nba.com) · recall

  9. 1985, 1997 and 2018, when it made Paris Saint-Germain's kit.

    Source: Company and team announcements (nike.com; underarmour.com; anta.com; lining.com; reebok.com); NBA (nba.com) · recall

  10. The naming deal was reported at about $700 million over 20 years.

    Source: Company and team announcements (nike.com; underarmour.com; anta.com; lining.com; reebok.com); NBA (nba.com) · recall

9.95Record Auctions

Jordan's shirt and shoes, Kobe's shirt, LeBron's and Luka's cards and the Flu Game shoes.

Test 1record auction pricesTake a test

  1. The sale set a record for game-worn sports clothing.

    Source: Sotheby's sale results (sothebys.com); Goldin and Heritage Auctions results; PSA (psacard.com) · recall

  2. They were a pair of Air Jordan 13s.

    Source: Sotheby's sale results (sothebys.com); Goldin and Heritage Auctions results; PSA (psacard.com) · recall

  3. It came from the 2007-08 season.

    Source: Sotheby's sale results (sothebys.com); Goldin and Heritage Auctions results; PSA (psacard.com) · recall

  4. It was a rare signed card with a patch of his shirt.

    Source: Sotheby's sale results (sothebys.com); Goldin and Heritage Auctions results; PSA (psacard.com) · recall

  5. He had played only three NBA seasons.

    Source: Sotheby's sale results (sothebys.com); Goldin and Heritage Auctions results; PSA (psacard.com) · recall

  6. He signed them for a ball boy after the game.

    Source: Sotheby's sale results (sothebys.com); Goldin and Heritage Auctions results; PSA (psacard.com) · recall

  7. Fleer's 1986-87 set is one of the most collected.

    Source: Sotheby's sale results (sothebys.com); Goldin and Heritage Auctions results; PSA (psacard.com) · recall

  8. 2013, 2021, 2022 and 2024.

    Source: Sotheby's sale results (sothebys.com); Goldin and Heritage Auctions results; PSA (psacard.com) · recall

  9. 1986, 1998 and 2003-04.

    Source: Sotheby's sale results (sothebys.com); Goldin and Heritage Auctions results; PSA (psacard.com) · recall

  10. It beat the record set by a football shirt worn by Diego Maradona.

    Source: Sotheby's sale results (sothebys.com); Goldin and Heritage Auctions results; PSA (psacard.com) · recall

9.96Owners and Team Sales

Jordan, Cuban, Prokhorov, Buss, Lacob and Guber, Ballmer and the Celtics' sale.

Test 1owners and team salesTake a test

  1. He was on the bench of the 2000 national champions.

    Source: NBA Board of Governors approvals as reported by the NBA (nba.com); team announcements · recall

  2. He took control of the Charlotte Bobcats.

    Source: NBA Board of Governors approvals as reported by the NBA (nba.com); team announcements · recall

  3. He had sold his company Broadcast.com.

    Source: NBA Board of Governors approvals as reported by the NBA (nba.com); team announcements · recall

  4. He moved the team to Brooklyn.

    Source: NBA Board of Governors approvals as reported by the NBA (nba.com); team announcements · recall

  5. The deal cost about $67.5 million.

    Source: NBA Board of Governors approvals as reported by the NBA (nba.com); team announcements · recall

  6. Guber was a Hollywood film producer.

    Source: NBA Board of Governors approvals as reported by the NBA (nba.com); team announcements · recall

  7. A group led by William Chisholm bought them.

    Source: NBA Board of Governors approvals as reported by the NBA (nba.com); team announcements · recall

  8. 1979, 2000, 2014 and 2025.

    Source: NBA Board of Governors approvals as reported by the NBA (nba.com); team announcements · recall

  9. 2010, 2023 and 2025.

    Source: NBA Board of Governors approvals as reported by the NBA (nba.com); team announcements · recall

  10. The former Microsoft chief paid about $2 billion.

    Source: NBA Board of Governors approvals as reported by the NBA (nba.com); team announcements · recall

9.97Fans and Their Traditions

Beat L.A., Roaracle, Jurassic Park, cowbells, Sirius and the Curtain of Distraction.

Test 1fans' traditionsTake a test

  1. They wanted Philadelphia to beat the Lakers in the Finals.

    Source: Teams' and universities' official sites (nba.com; thesundevils.com); Guinness World Records (guinnessworldrecords.com) · recall

  2. Fans stood for whole quarters in the play-offs.

    Source: Teams' and universities' official sites (nba.com; thesundevils.com); Guinness World Records (guinnessworldrecords.com) · recall

  3. Thousands gathered there during the 2019 title run.

    Source: Teams' and universities' official sites (nba.com; thesundevils.com); Guinness World Records (guinnessworldrecords.com) · recall

  4. The habit began in the early 2000s.

    Source: Teams' and universities' official sites (nba.com; thesundevils.com); Guinness World Records (guinnessworldrecords.com) · recall

  5. The noise was measured at about 126 decibels.

    Source: Teams' and universities' official sites (nba.com; thesundevils.com); Guinness World Records (guinnessworldrecords.com) · recall

  6. The arena goes dark as the lights spin.

    Source: Teams' and universities' official sites (nba.com; thesundevils.com); Guinness World Records (guinnessworldrecords.com) · recall

  7. They are famous for flares and songs.

    Source: Teams' and universities' official sites (nba.com; thesundevils.com); Guinness World Records (guinnessworldrecords.com) · recall

  8. 1982, 2013 and 2019.

    Source: Teams' and universities' official sites (nba.com; thesundevils.com); Guinness World Records (guinnessworldrecords.com) · recall

  9. Many teams keep the same music for each moment.

    Source: Teams' and universities' official sites (nba.com; thesundevils.com); Guinness World Records (guinnessworldrecords.com) · recall

  10. The 'Curtain of Distraction' hides a surprise act.

    Source: Teams' and universities' official sites (nba.com; thesundevils.com); Guinness World Records (guinnessworldrecords.com) · recall

9.98Giving Back

NBA Cares, Basketball Without Borders, the I Promise School and mental health.

Test 1players giving backTake a test

  1. It runs reading, health and building projects.

    Source: NBA Cares (cares.nba.com); FIBA (fiba.basketball); I Promise School (ipromiseschool.org); The Players' Tribune; United Nations Foundation · recall

  2. Many campers have gone on to the NBA.

    Source: NBA Cares (cares.nba.com); FIBA (fiba.basketball); I Promise School (ipromiseschool.org); The Players' Tribune; United Nations Foundation · recall

  3. It is called the I Promise School.

    Source: NBA Cares (cares.nba.com); FIBA (fiba.basketball); I Promise School (ipromiseschool.org); The Players' Tribune; United Nations Foundation · recall

  4. His essay helped start an open talk about mental health.

    Source: NBA Cares (cares.nba.com); FIBA (fiba.basketball); I Promise School (ipromiseschool.org); The Players' Tribune; United Nations Foundation · recall

  5. He wrote that the depression got the best of him.

    Source: NBA Cares (cares.nba.com); FIBA (fiba.basketball); I Promise School (ipromiseschool.org); The Players' Tribune; United Nations Foundation · recall

  6. Millions watched him announce his move to Miami.

    Source: NBA Cares (cares.nba.com); FIBA (fiba.basketball); I Promise School (ipromiseschool.org); The Players' Tribune; United Nations Foundation · recall

  7. He has done it for many years.

    Source: NBA Cares (cares.nba.com); FIBA (fiba.basketball); I Promise School (ipromiseschool.org); The Players' Tribune; United Nations Foundation · recall

  8. 2001, 2005 and 2018.

    Source: NBA Cares (cares.nba.com); FIBA (fiba.basketball); I Promise School (ipromiseschool.org); The Players' Tribune; United Nations Foundation · recall

  9. 1991, 2009 and 2018.

    Source: NBA Cares (cares.nba.com); FIBA (fiba.basketball); I Promise School (ipromiseschool.org); The Players' Tribune; United Nations Foundation · recall

  10. The nets protect families from malaria.

    Source: NBA Cares (cares.nba.com); FIBA (fiba.basketball); I Promise School (ipromiseschool.org); The Players' Tribune; United Nations Foundation · recall

9.99Cards and Collectibles

Mikan's 1948 card, rookie cards, Top Shot, Starting Lineup and graded cards.

Test 1cards and collectiblesTake a test

  1. It is often called the first great basketball card.

    Source: Topps, Panini, Upper Deck and Fanatics announcements; Dapper Labs (nbatopshot.com); PSA (psacard.com) · recall

  2. Rookie cards are usually the most valuable.

    Source: Topps, Panini, Upper Deck and Fanatics announcements; Dapper Labs (nbatopshot.com); PSA (psacard.com) · recall

  3. It owns the Topps brand too.

    Source: Topps, Panini, Upper Deck and Fanatics announcements; Dapper Labs (nbatopshot.com); PSA (psacard.com) · recall

  4. Each clip is recorded on a blockchain.

    Source: Topps, Panini, Upper Deck and Fanatics announcements; Dapper Labs (nbatopshot.com); PSA (psacard.com) · recall

  5. Each came with a trading card.

    Source: Topps, Panini, Upper Deck and Fanatics announcements; Dapper Labs (nbatopshot.com); PSA (psacard.com) · recall

  6. Some also carry the player's signature.

    Source: Topps, Panini, Upper Deck and Fanatics announcements; Dapper Labs (nbatopshot.com); PSA (psacard.com) · recall

  7. The set was released in 2003-04.

    Source: Topps, Panini, Upper Deck and Fanatics announcements; Dapper Labs (nbatopshot.com); PSA (psacard.com) · recall

  8. 1948, 1988 and 2020.

    Source: Topps, Panini, Upper Deck and Fanatics announcements; Dapper Labs (nbatopshot.com); PSA (psacard.com) · recall

  9. 1986, 1991 and 2009.

    Source: Topps, Panini, Upper Deck and Fanatics announcements; Dapper Labs (nbatopshot.com); PSA (psacard.com) · recall

  10. Grading firms such as PSA give cards a score from 1 to 10.

    Source: Topps, Panini, Upper Deck and Fanatics announcements; Dapper Labs (nbatopshot.com); PSA (psacard.com) · recall

9.100Basketball in Video Games

'He's on fire!', the first NBA 2K, Jordan's absence, Shaq Fu and the arcade.

Test 1basketball video gamesTake a test

  1. Three baskets in a row set him alight.

    Source: Publishers' release records (2K, EA Sports, Konami, Midway); NBA 2K League (2kleague.nba.com) · recall

  2. His lines are still quoted by players.

    Source: Publishers' release records (2K, EA Sports, Konami, Midway); NBA 2K League (2kleague.nba.com) · recall

  3. Allen Iverson was on the cover.

    Source: Publishers' release records (2K, EA Sports, Konami, Midway); NBA 2K League (2kleague.nba.com) · recall

  4. Games used an unnamed 'roster player' in his place.

    Source: Publishers' release records (2K, EA Sports, Konami, Midway); NBA 2K League (2kleague.nba.com) · recall

  5. Shaquille O'Neal fought in a fantasy world.

    Source: Publishers' release records (2K, EA Sports, Konami, Midway); NBA 2K League (2kleague.nba.com) · recall

  6. Users take their player from draft to retirement.

    Source: Publishers' release records (2K, EA Sports, Konami, Midway); NBA 2K League (2kleague.nba.com) · recall

  7. Teams were made of pairs of real NBA stars.

    Source: Publishers' release records (2K, EA Sports, Konami, Midway); NBA 2K League (2kleague.nba.com) · recall

  8. 1987, 1994 and 1999.

    Source: Publishers' release records (2K, EA Sports, Konami, Midway); NBA 2K League (2kleague.nba.com) · recall

  9. 1988, 1994 and 2018.

    Source: Publishers' release records (2K, EA Sports, Konami, Midway); NBA 2K League (2kleague.nba.com) · recall

  10. It made huge dunks and silly jumps its trademark.

    Source: Publishers' release records (2K, EA Sports, Konami, Midway); NBA 2K League (2kleague.nba.com) · recall

Sources

Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the NBA, FIBA, the EuroLeague, the NCAA, the WNBA, clubs' and universities' own histories, auction houses' published results and named reputable media.

  • NBA (nba.com) media releases; Nielsen ratings as reported by the NBA; Library of American Broadcasting11
  • NBA and NBPA collective bargaining histories (nba.com; nbpa.com)10
  • Company and team announcements (nike.com; underarmour.com; anta.com; lining.com; reebok.com); NBA (nba.com)10
  • Sotheby's sale results (sothebys.com); Goldin and Heritage Auctions results; PSA (psacard.com)10
  • NBA Board of Governors approvals as reported by the NBA (nba.com); team announcements10
  • Teams' and universities' official sites (nba.com; thesundevils.com); Guinness World Records (guinnessworldrecords.com)10
  • NBA Cares (cares.nba.com); FIBA (fiba.basketball); I Promise School (ipromiseschool.org); The Players' Tribune; United Nations Foundation10
  • Topps, Panini, Upper Deck and Fanatics announcements; Dapper Labs (nbatopshot.com); PSA (psacard.com)10
  • Publishers' release records (2K, EA Sports, Konami, Midway); NBA 2K League (2kleague.nba.com)10
  • Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Curt Gowdy Media Award winners (hoophall.com); NBA (nba.com); ESPN (espn.com)9