Knicks Fans Face Commentary Change for Playoff Opener
Mike Breen and Clyde Frazier won’t be on air for the Knicks’ playoff opener against the Hawks, which is quite a shift for fans.
In a groundbreaking move, the NBA is opting for national TV networks over local broadcasts for all playoff games this season. This change is something we’ve never seen before, and it follows the hefty payments these national outlets have made for broadcast rights.
Historically, local channels aired the playoffs, complete with home team commentary. Out-of-market viewers had the option for a national feed. It used to be this nice balance.
Breen, a key voice for the Knicks and the main commentator for ESPN, expressed his disappointment about this decision right after the Knicks wrapped their regular season.
Breen noted, “For the first time ever…this means the home team’s announcers won’t broadcast the first round. It’s a poor decision; fans really want that home perspective at least during the opening rounds.” He shared these thoughts on the MSG broadcast following an unfortunate 110-96 loss to the Hornets, where the Knicks faced a nearly full-strength opposing team.
He continued, “Fans consider those announcers part of the family. Sure, the networks shell out a lot for exclusivity, and I’m part of one, but I think fans deserve at least something special for their loyalty.” It’s funny how that loyalty gets overlooked sometimes.
This season marks the beginning of the NBA’s massive $76 billion broadcast rights deal, which spans 11 years and distributes games across various platforms.
Breen felt that even with Commissioner Adam Silver slicing up those huge deals with companies like Disney and Amazon, the focus should have been on “throwing the fans a bone.” It’s a tough call, really.
The hope, as Breen mentioned, is that the league can find a way to include local broadcasters in some capacity. Although, he admitted, that seems pretty unlikely.
“If they can reach a compromise—a real long shot—that would be fantastic because, you know, this is it for the season,” he said.
The Knicks are really aiming for a deep playoff journey this time around, especially after their Eastern Conference Finals run last season, a detail Breen echoed several times during the MSG broadcasts.
Yet, the league’s current climate is a bit rocky, with discussions circulating about the season’s length and whether it might be too drawn out. Some analysts are even suggesting a shorter season could be better. But, of course, broadcast partners likely wouldn’t be happy to lose out on that content.
