Latest news with #Tesh
CNN
10-05-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Trendlines: NBA playoff ticket prices are out of control
Welcome to Trendlines, your weekly installment of what's trending up and what's trending down in sports. This week we're talking about the NBA playoffs, which are hot, hot, hot in the city that I am currently in (New York). The New York Knickerbockers (or Knicks) are up 2-0 on their rival Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Can the Knicks go all the way? I don't know, but what I do know is tickets to Game 3 of their series against the Celtics are some of the hottest items in town. That's where we start with trending up. The cheapest ticket right now on Vivid Seats is about $600. Last week, it was under $400. That's an increase of somewhere between 70% and 80%, depending on what time you check the website. I don't know who has that much money to spend on a seat, though it speaks to the fact that ticket prices are out of control. The last time the Knicks were this good (the mid 1990s) you could get a face value playoff seat in the semifinals for $25. Even if you take inflation into account and that tickets were 10 times as high on the secondary market, such a seat would still be less than what a playoff ticket is going for now. Who can afford this stuff? I will admit that I'm not the most ardent NBA fan, hence my references to mid-90s basketball. I didn't quite realize how often the Celtics would be attempting and missing three-pointers this series. Indeed, the whole league is attempting more and more three-pointers. The average team is now attempting a little less than 38 three-pointers per game. When I was a kid, it was slightly less than 10. I don't know if I like the new style of play. I guess it works for some teams and doesn't work for others. It hasn't been working for the Celtics who have been a combined 25-for-100 (yes they're averaging 50 attempts a game) in this series. Did somebody say brick? The Celtics may be missing, but John Tesh's basketball anthem does not. The famous theme song for NBC is coming back next season as NBC has regained NBA television rights. Apparently, a lot of people are, like myself, looking forward to that theme song. Google searches for 'Roundball Rock' are averaging more this month than any month on record. I guess I can say I'm not too surprised? Tesh's live performance of the song has nearly three million views on YouTube. But more than anything else, the theme song is full of nostalgia. The NBA has never had more viewers than it did in the 1990s, when 'Roundball Rock' was the league's anthem for viewers. The NBA will probably never be that popular again, though maybe the theme can bring them some good mojo.
CNN
10-05-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Trendlines: NBA playoff ticket prices are out of control
Welcome to Trendlines, your weekly installment of what's trending up and what's trending down in sports. This week we're talking about the NBA playoffs, which are hot, hot, hot in the city that I am currently in (New York). The New York Knickerbockers (or Knicks) are up 2-0 on their rival Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Can the Knicks go all the way? I don't know, but what I do know is tickets to Game 3 of their series against the Celtics are some of the hottest items in town. That's where we start with trending up. The cheapest ticket right now on Vivid Seats is about $600. Last week, it was under $400. That's an increase of somewhere between 70% and 80%, depending on what time you check the website. I don't know who has that much money to spend on a seat, though it speaks to the fact that ticket prices are out of control. The last time the Knicks were this good (the mid 1990s) you could get a face value playoff seat in the semifinals for $25. Even if you take inflation into account and that tickets were 10 times as high on the secondary market, such a seat would still be less than what a playoff ticket is going for now. Who can afford this stuff? I will admit that I'm not the most ardent NBA fan, hence my references to mid-90s basketball. I didn't quite realize how often the Celtics would be attempting and missing three-pointers this series. Indeed, the whole league is attempting more and more three-pointers. The average team is now attempting a little less than 38 three-pointers per game. When I was a kid, it was slightly less than 10. I don't know if I like the new style of play. I guess it works for some teams and doesn't work for others. It hasn't been working for the Celtics who have been a combined 25-for-100 (yes they're averaging 50 attempts a game) in this series. Did somebody say brick? The Celtics may be missing, but John Tesh's basketball anthem does not. The famous theme song for NBC is coming back next season as NBC has regained NBA television rights. Apparently, a lot of people are, like myself, looking forward to that theme song. Google searches for 'Roundball Rock' are averaging more this month than any month on record. I guess I can say I'm not too surprised? Tesh's live performance of the song has nearly three million views on YouTube. But more than anything else, the theme song is full of nostalgia. The NBA has never had more viewers than it did in the 1990s, when 'Roundball Rock' was the league's anthem for viewers. The NBA will probably never be that popular again, though maybe the theme can bring them some good mojo.
Toronto Star
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
'Roundball Rock' coming back as the theme song when NBC returns to carrying the NBA in October
'Roundball Rock' is coming home. NBC answered the biggest question many have had since it won back NBA rights last July during Saturday's coverage of the Kentucky Derby when it aired a 60-second commercial featuring John Tesh's iconic theme song. The song was the soundtrack of NBC's coverage of the NBA from 1990 until 2002 along with the Chicago Bulls dynasty of six NBA titles. 'Roundball Rock is one of the greatest pieces of theme music in sports history. Hearing it immediately conjures images of NBC Sports' coverage of one of the golden ages of the NBA, from Magic to Michael to Kobe and many others,' NBC Sports president Rick Cordella said. 'It was a pleasure working with John Tesh to bring Roundball Rock back to NBC, and we're equally excited to hear its debut on Peacock. We couldn't imagine beginning our coverage any other way.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The spot features current NBA stars Luka Doncic, Donovan Mitchell and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, along with stars from NBC shows humming the theme. It concludes with Tesh playing 'Roundball Rock' on a keyboard in the center of Los Angeles' Intuit Dome — the home of the Los Angeles Clippers — before cutting to the front row where Tracy Morgan says, 'John Tesh still got it.' Tesh has often said he composed 'Roundball Rock' in July 1989 after he woke up in the middle of the night with the idea. Without instruments or a tape recorder, Tesh left an a cappella message on his answering machine so he wouldn't forget it. 'I'm truly honored to be back with my friends at NBC Sports,' Tesh said in a statement. 'From our first meeting, Rick Cordella had a powerful vision for bringing Roundball Rock back to its one true home. Along with millions of other fans, I'll be front row center for the epic launch in the fall.' During the media rights negotiations last year, Tesh created a bit of a social media frenzy when he announced he was going into the recording studio to do an updated version of 'Roundball Rock.' However, it was for NBC's coverage of the Paris Olympics. 'Roundball Rock' has lived on in popularity even after NBC lost the NBA. Fox Sports reached an agreement to use it for its college basketball coverage, while a 2013 skit featuring actor Jason Sudeikis portraying Tesh remains one of 'Saturday Night Live's' most popular scenes. NBC's 11-year agreement with the NBA and WNBA begins in October. Peacock will exclusively stream games on Monday night while NBC/Peacock will have regional doubleheaders on Tuesday. NBC and Peacock will also launch 'Sunday Night Basketball' in January. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW NBC also announced on Saturday that Carmelo Anthony will be part of its studio coverage. ___ AP NBA:
Boston Globe
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
NBC confirms ‘Roundball Rock' will be part of its return to NBA game broadcasts in the fall
'Roundball Rock is one of the greatest pieces of theme music in sports history. Hearing it immediately conjures images of NBC Sports' coverage of one of the golden ages of the NBA, from Magic to Michael to Kobe and many others,' NBC Sports president Rick Cordella said. 'It was a pleasure working with John Tesh to bring Roundball Rock back to NBC, and we're equally excited to hear its debut on Peacock. We couldn't imagine beginning our coverage any other way.' Advertisement The spot features current NBA stars Luka Doncic, Donovan Mitchell, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, along with stars from NBC shows humming the theme. It concludes with Tesh playing 'Roundball Rock' on a keyboard in the center of Los Angeles' Intuit Dome — the home of the Los Angeles Clippers — before cutting to the front row where Tracy Morgan says, 'John Tesh still got it.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Tesh has often said he composed 'Roundball Rock' in July 1989 after he woke up in the middle of the night with the idea. Without instruments or a tape recorder, Tesh left an a cappella message on his answering machine so he wouldn't forget it. 'I'm truly honored to be back with my friends at NBC Sports,' Tesh said in a statement. 'From our first meeting, Rick Cordella had a powerful vision for bringing Roundball Rock back to its one true home. Along with millions of other fans, I'll be front row center for the epic launch in the fall.' Related : Advertisement During the media rights negotiations last year, Tesh created a bit of a social media frenzy when he announced he was going into the recording studio to do an updated version of 'Roundball Rock.' However, it was for NBC's coverage of the Paris Olympics. 'Roundball Rock' has lived on in popularity even after NBC lost the NBA. Fox Sports reached an agreement to use it for its college basketball coverage, while a 2013 skit featuring actor Jason Sudeikis portraying Tesh remains one of 'Saturday Night Live's' most popular scenes. NBC's 11-year agreement with the NBA and WNBA begins in October. Peacock will exclusively stream games on Monday night while NBC/Peacock will have regional doubleheaders on Tuesday. NBC and Peacock will also launch 'Sunday Night Basketball' in January. NBC also announced on Saturday that Carmelo Anthony will be part of its studio coverage.
New York Times
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
‘Roundball Rock,' NBC's beloved sports anthem, returning to network's NBA coverage next season
NBC will bring back 'Roundball Rock,' its beloved sports theme song, next season when the network begins its 11-year media rights deal to air NBA games. Music composer and radio and TV personality John Tesh wrote 'Roundball Rock,' which became popular during NBC's coverage of the league from 1990 to 2002. Fans will hear the song again for NBA coverage across NBC and Peacock after the league signed a blockbuster 11-year, $77 billion deal with ESPN, Amazon and NBC, beginning in 2025-26. Advertisement The NBA moved its coverage from NBC to ESPN in 2002, causing the popular basketball anthem to be shelved. NBC announced the return of 'Roundball Rock' during Saturday's Kentucky Derby coverage in an ad featuring Tesh, the Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Dončić, sports announcer Mike Tirico and several stars from NBC shows. Ever feel like EVERYONE has that one song stuck in their head? 🏀 The NBA on NBC and Peacock – coming this fall! — NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) May 3, 2025 'I'm truly honored to be back with my friends at NBC Sports,' Tesh said in a statement. 'From our first meeting, (NBC Sports president) Rick Cordella had a powerful vision for bringing 'Roundball Rock' back to its one true home. Along with millions of other fans, I'll be front row center for the epic launch in the fall.' Tesh told The Athletic in 2020 that he came up with the idea for the song in the middle of the night while in France. He didn't have a tape recorder at his hotel, so he called his home phone in Los Angeles and hummed the music on his answering machine.
