Thunder Bring Noise, 6 Games

The Thunder win resulted in the first 6-game NBA finals in 4 years.

June 16, 2025

Thunder Win Sets Up First 6-Game NBA Finals in 4 Years
FOS’ Colin Salao writes, “Pacers fans exited Gainbridge Fieldhouse disappointed on Friday night, a stark contrast from the ruckus Game 3 crowd. At least they’re guaranteed another chance to watch their team in person—and perhaps even witness their franchise’s first title.

“The Thunder defeated the Pacers, 111–104, in Game 4 to even up the 2025 NBA Finals at 2–2 and reclaim homecourt advantage. The win means that after the two teams play Game 5 in Oklahoma City on Monday [tonight], they will return to Indianapolis for Game 6 on Thursday.”
^{Front Office Sports}

From NOOCH to the Finals, Inside Oklahoma City’s Surreal Journey to the NBA
SBJ’s Tom Friend writes, “The point is, win or lose to the Pacers, the city has already won. A new arena is scheduled to open just north of the current Paycom Center in 2028, and the incessant chant ‘OKC … OKC’ will undoubtedly move across the street with it. That and the team’s 18,000 season-ticket base, which includes a waiting list of 2,000-plus.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

Take-Two Interactive, NBA Ink Expansive Deal On Entertainment, Gaming, Live Events and More
THR’s Alex Weprin writes, “The NBA, video game giant Take-Two Interactive and the National Basketball Players Association have agreed in principle to a multiyear extension of their partnership, continuing the NBA 2K video game franchise, while also expanding into new areas.

“One of those new areas is media and entertainment, with the companies unveiling what they are calling NBA Take-Two Media, which will combine competitive gaming, social and long-form entertainment programming and live events.”
^{The Hollywood Reporter}

Scripps Sports, WNBA Extend Friday Night Deal
The WNBA is staying on ION Friday nights. Scripps Sports and the league reached a multiyear agreement to keep ION the home of the WNBA on Friday nights, a deal that has been in place since 2023. Financial terms and the length of the deal were not disclosed. The WNBA’s other media partners are ESPN, Prime Video and CBS, with NBC joining next year as part of the league’s new media agreements.
^{Sports Business Journal}

DAZN’s Club World Cup Rights Cost $1B. Its Streams Are Free.
Sportico’s Jacob Feldman writes, “Global streaming company DAZN acquired the rights to this year’s Club World Cup in late 2024 for a reported $1 billion. Starting Saturday, it will stream games from the tournament in 15 languages around the world—for free. It is a ‘big bet’ on using a single sports competition to drive sustained viewership long term, DAZN’s global chief revenue officer Walker Jacobs said in an interview…”
^Sportico

Missouri Governor Signs Stadium Aid Package Intended to Keep the Chiefs and Royals in the StateMatt Elliott to be named Wendy Hensel's pick as new Hawaii athletic directorMatt Elliott to be named Wendy Hensel's pick as new Hawaii athletic directorMatt Elliott to be named Wendy Hensel's pick as new Hawaii athletic directorMatt Elliott to be named Wendy Hensel's pick as new Hawaii athletic director
AP News David Skretta reports: “Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a legislative package on Saturday, approved by Missouri lawmakers earlier in the week, that includes hundreds of millions of dollars of financial aid intended to persuade the Chiefs and Royals to remain in the state.

“If they choose to stay in Missouri, the Chiefs have floated plans for a $1.15 billion renovation of Arrowhead Stadium. The Royals have insisted all along that they intend to build a replacement for Kauffman Stadium.”
^{AP News}

NASCAR Expects Good Crowd at Mexico Race, Seeking International Growth
NASCAR Executive VP and Chief Venue & Racing Innovations Officer Ben Kennedy said this weekend represents “much more than just a race -- this is an opportunity for us to bring the sport into a massive market in front of a significant audience, and partners like OCESA that are helping us promote the event, literally 24/7 since we had the announcement last year has been fantastic.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

Club World Cup Kicks Off in Miami Before Solid Attendance of 60K
The FIFA Club World Cup opened Saturday with Inter Miami and Egyptian club Al Ahly playing to a 0-0 draw in front of an announced attendance of 60,927 at Hard Rock Stadium. There were some “empty seats” amid reports of slow ticket sales. But the stadium “filled out just before kickoff, and even more as the first half began.”
^{USA Today via Sports Business Journal}

What’s Next in the NFL C-Suite?
SBJ’s Ben Fischer writes, “In replacing Rolapp, insiders say, the challenge will be to match his dealmaking ability and general competence, while also finding someone able to connect strategically across the NFL’s other business lines too. Under Rolapp, the league has secured favorable rights deals, which include the valuable early, NFL-side opt-outs in 2029, while continuing to foster new entrants such as Netflix.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

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Mountain West Reached Revenue High Ahead of Pac-12 Showdown
Sportico’s Daniel Libit writes, “The Mountain West Conference came close to cracking nine-figure revenue in fiscal year 2024, pulling in a record-setting $92.8 million—up from $78.2 million the year prior—just as it entered a high-stakes, increasingly adversarial engagement with the Pac-12.

“Total expenditures for the year hit $96.2 million, resulting in a year-over-year decline in net assets. A Mountain West spokesperson attributed much of the shortfall to an atypical distribution to San Diego State, which received both its FY23 and FY24 payments—totaling $12.9 million—within the same fiscal period.”
^Sportico

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