Did you know that the NBA season is the longest in all of professional sports? That's right, each team plays 82 games in a regular season, which is a total of 1,230 games! In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the How Many Games in NBA Season, how it's changed over time, and why it's so long.
History of NBA Season Length:
The NBA season has been 82 games long since the 1967-68 season. However, it wasn't always that way. In the early days of the league, teams played as few as 48 games in a season. The number of games gradually increased over time, and by the 1950s, most teams were playing 72 games.
The 82-game schedule was introduced in 1967 as a way to increase revenue for the league. The longer season meant that more games were being played, which meant more ticket sales and more television revenue.
Current NBA Season Structure:
The current NBA season is divided into two conferences, the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Each conference is further divided into three divisions, for a total of six divisions in the NBA.
Each team plays 41 games against teams in its own division, 30 games against teams in its own conference, and 11 games against teams in the other conference. This means that each team plays a total of 82 games in a regular season.
How Many Games in NBA Season?:
The current standard number of games in an NBA season is 82. This number has remained consistent for many years, but there have been some exceptions. For example, the 1998-99 season was shortened to 50 games due to a lockout.
There have also been some changes to the way the 82-game schedule is structured. For example, in recent years, the NBA has started to schedule more back-to-back games. This is a way to reduce travel costs for teams, but it can also be tough on players.
Factors Influencing the Number of Games:
- Player health: The league wants to make sure that players are healthy enough to compete throughout the season. A longer season means more wear and tear on players' bodies, so the league has to be careful not to schedule too many games.
- Revenue generation: The league also wants to generate as much revenue as possible. A longer season means more ticket sales and more television revenue.
- Fan engagement: The league also wants to keep fans engaged. A longer season means that there are more games to watch, which can help to keep fans interested in the NBA.
Comparisons with Other Sports Leagues:
The NBA season is the longest in all of professional sports. The NFL season is the second-longest, with 16 games per team. The MLB and NHL seasons are both 162 games per team.
The NBA season is so long because the league wants to give each team a fair chance to compete for a playoff spot. A longer season means that more teams have a chance to make the playoffs, which can help to keep the competition exciting.
Conclusion
The number of games in an NBA season is a topic that has been debated for many years. There are a number of factors that influence the number of games, and the league has to strike a balance between player health, revenue generation, and fan engagement.
Ultimately, the decision of how many games to play in a season is up to the NBA. However, the league will continue to face pressure from players, coaches, and fans to shorten the season.
