Latest news with #NBAFinalsGame7
Ottawa Citizen
6 hours ago
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
No bigger winner in the business of sport this week than the Florida Panthers
Article content Bulls of the week Article content On this first day of summer and longest day of sunshine of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, there's plenty to be bullish about in the business of sport, beginning with the two words 'Game 7' in the NBA, where the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers will play for all of the marbles on Sunday. Article content The NHL fell short at six games in its Stanley Cup Final this spring after watching the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers go the distance 12 months ago in their first of back-to-back showdowns. That was the 18th Cup Final Game 7 over the course of 83 years, with the previous final series maximum having been reached when the St. Louis Blues won their first Cup in franchise history, beating the Boston Bruins in 2019. Article content Article content The Association, on the other hand, is playing an NBA Finals Game 7 for the first time in nine years, when LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers outlasted Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in 2016. Article content Article content Moreover, the NBA is in one of those scenarios where they'll have a compelling storyline and first-time champion, either way. That won't fully mitigate against the small-market matchup when it comes to TV ratings, but it will at least make the most of the showdown between the 25th biggest TV market in the U.S. (Indianapolis) and the 47th largest (OKC). Article content It was also a bullish week for emerging sport business tycoon Mark Walter, who announced that he will be adding the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA to his impressive list of sport properties, one that has featured the defending World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers since 2012. Article content The deal between Walter, who is building on a personal net worth that was estimated at US$6.1 billion in February, and the longtime Buss family ownership group values the Lakers at US$10 billion, a record franchise transaction in North American pro sport. Article content Article content Walter's reach and influence also extends to Chelsea of the Premier League of English soccer, a stake in Strasbourg of the French Ligue 1, Cadillac Formula One, and single-entity governance and ownership of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). Article content Article content Yet there was no bigger winner in the business of sport this week than owner Vinnie Viola and his Panthers, who won their second consecutive Cup title in their third straight trip to the championship series. Article content The dominant performance by the Paul Maurice-coached Panthers inspired many to begin referring to them as a dynasty, suggesting that two wins in three finals in the salary cap era at least rivals three or four straight titles in the years before payroll restrictions and the resulting competitive parity were introduced in to the NHL more than 20 years ago.
Calgary Herald
7 hours ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
No bigger winner in the business of sport this week than the Florida Panthers
Article content Bulls of the week Article content On this first day of summer and longest day of sunshine of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, there's plenty to be bullish about in the business of sport, beginning with the two words 'Game 7' in the NBA, where the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers will play for all of the marbles on Sunday. Article content The NHL fell short at six games in its Stanley Cup Final this spring after watching the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers go the distance 12 months ago in their first of back-to-back showdowns. That was the 18th Cup Final Game 7 over the course of 83 years, with the previous final series maximum having been reached when the St. Louis Blues won their first Cup in franchise history, beating the Boston Bruins in 2019. Article content Article content The Association, on the other hand, is playing an NBA Finals Game 7 for the first time in nine years, when LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers outlasted Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in 2016. Article content Article content Moreover, the NBA is in one of those scenarios where they'll have a compelling storyline and first-time champion, either way. That won't fully mitigate against the small-market matchup when it comes to TV ratings, but it will at least make the most of the showdown between the 25th biggest TV market in the U.S. (Indianapolis) and the 47th largest (OKC). Article content It was also a bullish week for emerging sport business tycoon Mark Walter, who announced that he will be adding the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA to his impressive list of sport properties, one that has featured the defending World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers since 2012. Article content The deal between Walter, who is building on a personal net worth that was estimated at US$6.1 billion in February, and the longtime Buss family ownership group values the Lakers at US$10 billion, a record franchise transaction in North American pro sport. Article content Article content Walter's reach and influence also extends to Chelsea of the Premier League of English soccer, a stake in Strasbourg of the French Ligue 1, Cadillac Formula One, and single-entity governance and ownership of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). Article content Article content Yet there was no bigger winner in the business of sport this week than owner Vinnie Viola and his Panthers, who won their second consecutive Cup title in their third straight trip to the championship series. Article content The dominant performance by the Paul Maurice-coached Panthers inspired many to begin referring to them as a dynasty, suggesting that two wins in three finals in the salary cap era at least rivals three or four straight titles in the years before payroll restrictions and the resulting competitive parity were introduced in to the NHL more than 20 years ago.
Edmonton Journal
7 hours ago
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
No bigger winner in the business of sport this week than the Florida Panthers
Article content The Association, on the other hand, is playing an NBA Finals Game 7 for the first time in nine years, when LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers outlasted Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in 2016. Moreover, the NBA is in one of those scenarios where they'll have a compelling storyline and first-time champion, either way. That won't fully mitigate against the small-market matchup when it comes to TV ratings, but it will at least make the most of the showdown between the 25th biggest TV market in the U.S. (Indianapolis) and the 47th largest (OKC). It was also a bullish week for emerging sport business tycoon Mark Walter, who announced that he will be adding the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA to his impressive list of sport properties, one that has featured the defending World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers since 2012. The deal between Walter, who is building on a personal net worth that was estimated at US$6.1 billion in February, and the longtime Buss family ownership group values the Lakers at US$10 billion, a record franchise transaction in North American pro sport.
Vancouver Sun
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
No bigger winner in the business of sport this week than the Florida Panthers
On this first day of summer and longest day of sunshine of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, there's plenty to be bullish about in the business of sport, beginning with the two words 'Game 7' in the NBA, where the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers will play for all of the marbles on Sunday. The NHL fell short at six games in its Stanley Cup Final this spring after watching the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers go the distance 12 months ago in their first of back-to-back showdowns. That was the 18th Cup Final Game 7 over the course of 83 years, with the previous final series maximum having been reached when the St. Louis Blues won their first Cup in franchise history, beating the Boston Bruins in 2019. The Association, on the other hand, is playing an NBA Finals Game 7 for the first time in nine years, when LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers outlasted Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in 2016. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Moreover, the NBA is in one of those scenarios where they'll have a compelling storyline and first-time champion, either way. That won't fully mitigate against the small-market matchup when it comes to TV ratings, but it will at least make the most of the showdown between the 25th biggest TV market in the U.S. (Indianapolis) and the 47th largest (OKC). It was also a bullish week for emerging sport business tycoon Mark Walter, who announced that he will be adding the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA to his impressive list of sport properties, one that has featured the defending World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers since 2012. The deal between Walter, who is building on a personal net worth that was estimated at US$6.1 billion in February, and the longtime Buss family ownership group values the Lakers at US$10 billion, a record franchise transaction in North American pro sport. Walter's reach and influence also extends to Chelsea of the Premier League of English soccer, a stake in Strasbourg of the French Ligue 1, Cadillac Formula One, and single-entity governance and ownership of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). Yet there was no bigger winner in the business of sport this week than owner Vinnie Viola and his Panthers, who won their second consecutive Cup title in their third straight trip to the championship series. The dominant performance by the Paul Maurice-coached Panthers inspired many to begin referring to them as a dynasty, suggesting that two wins in three finals in the salary cap era at least rivals three or four straight titles in the years before payroll restrictions and the resulting competitive parity were introduced in to the NHL more than 20 years ago. It's an impressive achievement, not only for the Panthers, but also for the sunbelt hockey strategy deployed as part of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman's more than 30-year tenure. It marks the sixth straight year in which the Cup has gone through the state of Florida, with two wins and three trips through Tampa Bay 2020-22 and the same through Sunrise, Fla., 2023-25. It's a remarkable evolution as well for a team that has spent much of its history with among the lowest attendance in the NHL. The Panthers have nowhere near the profile of a Canadian-based market, but give credit where credit is due: They're run by a highly respected hockey operations department that does much more than simply benefit from zero state income tax provisions in Florida. The FIFA 2026 World Cup — now less than a year away — will be a huge success played before sellouts throughout its three host countries of the U.S., Mexico and Canada. That doesn't change the fact that the Cup hasn't made quite the same dent, at least so far, on attendance and fan engagement in the American stadiums that are hosting it. Fast-forward eight to 12 years and the global club championship will be better understood. Consider these growing pains for an event that just a few years ago was played under more of a 'final four' format, not a 32-team competition spanning all six continents. Tom Mayenknecht is the host of The Sport Market on Sportsnet 650 on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Vancouver-based sport business commentator and principal in Emblematica Brand Builders provides a behind-the-scenes look at the sport business stories that matter most to fans. Follow Mayenknecht at: .
USA Today
8 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Mark Daigneault calls Pacers-Thunder 2025 NBA Finals Game 7 a 'privilege'
Over eight months into their season, the Oklahoma City Thunder's historic season will come down to one game. The Indiana Pacers destroyed the title favorite in Game 6. With the 2025 NBA Finals knotted up at 3-3, a decisive Game 7 will determine the NBA championship. Legacies will be on the line. How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP season will be viewed in historic context will be determined. Everything is at stake. The highest amount of pressure you can think of, multiply that tenfold. 28 NBA fanbases love the thought of an NBA Finals Game 7. Last time it happened, it produced a classic as LeBron James led his Cleveland Cavaliers to a 3-1 series comeback over the Golden State Warriors. It'll be must-watch TV. But for OKC and Indiana, stress and anxiety levels will be dangerously high. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault pivoted to Game 7 after their 108-91 Game 6 loss. He put the stinger behind him and quickly contextualized Sunday's matchup by zooming out. If you were told back in September that OKC would host a Game 7 to determine the NBA championship, you would take that offer in a heartbeat. "It was hard tonight. Indiana was great and we were not. We have the same opportunity Indiana does on Sunday. Score will be 0-0 when the ball goes up in the air. It's a privilege to play in Game 7s. It's a privilege to play in the Finals," Daigneault said. "As disappointing as tonight was, we're grateful for the opportunity. We put in a lot of work this season to be able to play that game at home, which is exciting to be able to do it in front of our fans. Obviously disappointed tonight." Thunder fans might've panicked about what happened in Game 6. It's one thing to lose, it's another to get embarrassed on a national stage. But the good news is it only counts for one loss. To beat the Pacers three straight times was a tall task. The Thunder aren't afforded that luxury. They'll spend the weekend preparing for the biggest game of everybody's lives. This is what you spent the last year working toward. OKC will hope to lean on its much better play at home in the playoffs compared to on the road. "But we'll regroup, get back to zero, learn from it with clear eyes, like we always do," Daigneault said. "Get ourselves as ready as we can be to play Game 7 on Sunday."
