NBA: the calendar could be shifted permanently; lower TV audience for the finals

"Even before the Covid crisis, there were discussions about starting the season later. Why compete against the NFL during the fall? Why not start the season around Christmas? It could very well be that the schedule for the regular season is changing, and not so much because of Covid, but more because we have the opportunity to experience the change. I would not bet on a return to normal (schedule)," said Michele Roberts, director of the NBPA, union of NBA players, to the American site The Athletic on 06/10/2020.

The TV audiences for the first three games of the 2020 NBA Finals (Los Angeles Lakers - Miami Heat) are the three lowest audiences ever recorded in the United States for NBA Finals matches (since at least 1988), according to the sportsmediawatch website (see below). Usually contested in June, the NBA Finals are being contested right now (from 30/09/2020 until 13/10/2020 at the latest), concurrent with the NFL regular season (September - December; January - February for the playoffs).

"If we end in October, December doesn't make sense (for the 2020-21 season). Important…