The 2024 Paris Olympics saw millions of basketball fans tune in as Team USA, featuring NBA stars Stephen Curry and LeBron James, triumphed over host country France, led by rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama. However, for NBA commissioner Adam Silver, one particular detail from the Olympics caught his attention: the game’s shorter duration.
Silver Suggests 10-Minute Quarters for NBA Games
In an interview on The Dan Patrick Show, Silver shared that he is a fan of aligning the NBA’s game length with international basketball standards. Currently, the NBA is the only major league with 12-minute quarters, resulting in 48-minute games. FIBA (International Basketball Federation), the Olympics, and even the WNBA have 10-minute quarters, making for 40-minute games.
“As we get more involved in global basketball, the NBA is the only league that plays 48 minutes,” Silver explained. “I am a fan of four 10-minute quarters. I’m not sure how many others are, but I think that a two-hour format is more consistent with modern television habits.”
Viewership Trends and Challenges for the NBA
The NBA has faced some fluctuations in viewership this season, according to data from Nielsen. Ratings on ESPN and ABC have increased, but TNT has seen a decline compared to last year’s regular season, which was the most-watched in four years. Critics have pointed to issues like the excessive reliance on 3-point shooting, less physical play, and frequent blowout games as reasons for declining interest.
Silver acknowledged these concerns but maintained that the quality of the game remains high. “Is there too much 3-point shooting in certain situations? Maybe,” he admitted. “I don’t want to overreact. I think the game is incredible day in and day out. Some of the criticism is a bit unfair.”
He also highlighted the challenge of engaging audiences in an era of endless entertainment options. Despite the Olympic gold medal game drawing 19.5 million viewers — the highest for a gold medal match since 1996 — the NBA’s ratings have been flat compared to last year. Silver noted, “There are unlimited numbers of channels and programming. My job is to get more basketball lovers to watch the NBA and watch it longer.”
Ongoing Changes to Boost Entertainment Value
To address viewer engagement, the NBA has introduced several initiatives, including:
- Coach challenges to add excitement and strategic decision-making
- The play-in tournament to give teams more chances to qualify for the playoffs
- The NBA Cup to inject fresh competitive energy into the season
Silver assured fans that the league will continue exploring ways to improve the game’s entertainment value. The potential change to 10-minute quarters is part of this effort, as it could not only align with international standards but also help reduce player fatigue and manage rest issues.
Will 10-Minute Quarters Become a Reality?
Despite Silver’s enthusiasm, the shift to shorter quarters is unlikely to happen anytime soon. Changing game length would impact long-standing records and traditions, and it would require broad support from players, coaches, and league officials. However, Silver emphasized that the league remains “open” to new ideas, as they seek to keep up with the demands of modern viewers.
The NBA faces the challenge of adapting to a fast-evolving entertainment landscape. As Silver works to balance tradition with innovation, ideas like shorter quarters and new tournaments reflect the league’s willingness to evolve. Whether or not 10-minute quarters become a reality, the NBA’s goal is clear: to capture and maintain the attention of a global audience in an increasingly competitive world of entertainment.
