There’s no denying that basketball is one of the most popular sports in America. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just watching from the sidelines, learning some fun facts about the NBA will help you appreciate the game even more. From the history of the league to some classic slams and three-pointers, there are plenty of interesting details about the NBA that every fan should know.
The NBA was founded in 1946, with the first NBA Championship being won by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1949. The league expanded in 1984, with the Chicago Bulls becoming a global phenomenon as a result of Michael Jordan’s success. The popularity of the NBA grew even more when the 1992 Dream Team won the gold medal at the Barcelona Olympics.
NBA games are televised on ESPN, ABC and TNT. In addition, the games are streamed on the NBA app and YouTube TV. The league also has a contract with NBC for the 2025–2026 season, which includes a full national broadcast schedule.
With the advent of the television era, the NBA has been very active in its efforts to promote the sport and expand its audience. The league signed its first TV deal with the DuMont Television Network in 1953–54, which gave it a platform to reach a wider audience and gain more fans.
In 1954, the NBA introduced a 24-second shot clock in an effort to liven up play and make the games more exciting for audiences. If a team violates the rule, it must attempt a shot within 24 seconds or lose possession of the ball.
Throughout the years, the NBA has implemented changes in the playoff system to ensure that the best teams reach the finals. For example, in 2006–07 the playoffs were changed to guarantee division winners a top-four seed if they won their respective division, allowing them to meet before the conference finals. This helped prevent the two best teams from each conference from meeting until the conference finals at the earliest, which led to some controversy.
The final playoff round, a best-of-seven series between the victors of each conference, is known as the NBA Finals and is held annually in June (it will sometimes start earlier). The winner receives the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy and every player and major contributor on the winning team, including coaches and general managers, receives a championship ring. This year, the finals will be held at the Honda Center in Los Angeles. The league also awards a special trophy for the most valuable player of the finals, which is called the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award. This is considered to be one of the most prestigious awards in professional sports. The NBA Finals is the most watched non-Olympic sporting events worldwide each year. The finals are aired on TNT and ESPN in the United States, and in the rest of the world on Eurosport and Supersport. The league has also sold the rights to a number of regional and international broadcasters.