NBA reveals more details and potential prize for proposed in-season tournament
The NBA’s proposal for an in-season tournament includes a $1 million bonus for each player on the winning team and a $1.5 million bonus pool for the winning coaching staff, according to a memo sent to teams.
The memo also included more details about the in-season tournament, which would be played in November and December. The tournament would start with an eight-game home-and-home round robin against opponents within each division. The six division winners plus two wild cards with the next-best record would advance to the quarterfinals, with four games at team arenas. The semifinals and finals would be played at a neutral site, such as Las Vegas.
The NBA also is trying to create incentives for teams and fans. A popular idea is awarding an additional draft pick to the winning team.
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These are among changes that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the league are proposing for the 2021-22 season (and perhaps beyond) to create more interest in the regular season. The other proposals, which USA TODAY Sports detailed in November, include:
- 78-game schedule, though there is the possibility one team could play 83 games.
- Play-in tournament for the seventh and eighth seeds in each conference, giving seeds nine and 10 a chance to make the playoffs.
- Re-seeding the final four playoff teams to get the two best teams into the Finals, meaning two teams from the same conference could play in the championship round.
The NBA needs buy-in from the National Basketball Players Association (players union) and its TV partners, but given the league sent a detailed proposal to teams, it’s likely both groups are on board.
According to the memo, a fan study revealed 60% want a shorter schedule, 68% are interested in an in-season tournament and 75% are interested in a play-in tournament.
The NBA wants owners to vote on these proposals at its April Board of Governors meeting in New York.
Follow Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt.
