Report: NBA Expected to Make Play-in Tournament Permanent
Since it's initial introduction, the NBA's play-in tournament to determine the final seeds of the postseason has garnered a wide array of support from fans thanks to the interest and drama heading into the final days of the regular season.
Now, you can anticipate the tournament to become a permanent fixture of the schedule moving forward.
NBA Expected to Make Play-in Tournament Permanent
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said on Monday the NBA board of governors is expected on Tuesday to approve the play-in tournament as a regular part of future league seasons.
"The NBA had been voting on the play-in's inclusion on a year-to-year basis for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons, but the support exists ahead of Tuesday's ownership meetings at the summer league to turn the competition into a regular component of the league's schedule, sources told ESPN," Wojnarowski said.
The tournament has also helped prevent teams from tanking towards the end of the season, creating more competitive interest for squads on the bubble of making the playoffs.
Aside from the play-in tournament, a few other changes are being discussed according to ESPN.
Other Rule Changes Being Discussed
Wojnarowski says the "take foul" (stopping a fastbreak by fouling a player) next season will result in a free throw and possession back to the offense.
Also in discussions is a mid-season tournament. Wojnarowski says talks are expected to go deeper tomorrow.
"Both the play-in and in-season tournaments need to be collectively bargained with the union.
"Talks have centered on an in-season tournament that would begin with pool play as part of the regular-season schedule prior to teams with the best records advancing to an eight-team, single-elimination tournament expected to culminate before Christmas, sources told ESPN. One proposal would also shorten the regular season from 82 to 78 games, sources said.
"The sides had discussed a purse of $1 million per player for the winning team, and the players would likely see more financial and competitive incentives before an agreement on the format might be reached, sources said. The NBA has been motivated by the possibility of lucrative television and sponsorship revenues that the league hopes would bring long-term financial growth."
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