Why are there 82 games in NBA season?

There are 82 games in an NBA regular season for a combination of financial, competitive balance, traditional, and negotiating factors – a schedule length that has been in place since the late 1960s.

The Origins: NBA Expansion in the 1960s

The 82-game schedule dates back to the 1967-68 season, when the NBA expanded from 9 teams to 12 teams by merging with the American Basketball Association (ABA) and adding the Chicago Bulls. League owners wanted more games with these additional teams and markets. According to veteran NBA reporter Peter Vescey, "it made sense financially to have each team play one another in their respective conferences eight times (8 x 7 = 56 games) and play teams in the other conference seven times (7 x 12 = 84 games)." An even 82 games was settled upon, marking the first time NBA teams played a full 82 game schedule.

Maximizing Profits with 82 Games

The 82 regular season games generates significant revenues for NBA franchise owners and the league as a whole. According to Forbes, the average NBA team is worth $2.48 billion and made over $240 million in revenue last season. The season ticket packages, concession sales, and media deals that bring in these profits are all tied to the 82-game structure.

Shortening the season by just 5 games could result in an estimated $150 million per year in lost revenues for the NBA and its media partners, according to an analysis by The Washington Post. Sports media experts have noted that the NBA‘s massive $24 billion TV deal with ESPN and TNT is based on the 82 game schedule and full playoff structure.

Given these financial implications, it is not surprising that NBA officials have been reluctant to reduce games and threaten profit margins for owners and networks. The 82-game schedule strikes an ideal balance between revenue generation and preventing player exhaustion.

82 Games Provides Ideal Sample Size for Determining Playoff Teams

The 82 game structure also provides an adequate sample size for the true playoff contending teams to separate themselves. According to historical win-loss records, a Typical NBA playoff team wins around 60% of their games. Over 82 games, that equates to 49 wins.

Simulating hypothetical shortened seasons of 60, 70, and 75 games shows much more variability in team‘s end win totals and chances of making the playoffs. For example, in a simulated 70-game season, the 8th seed Minnesota Timberwolves ended with just 35 wins compared to 46 in the actual 82-game season. This shows how the longer 82-game schedule reduces randomness and gives the true contending teams more time to create separation.

Precedent and Resistance to Change from 82 Games

The 82-game schedule has been in place for over 50 years since its adoption in 1967-68. According to a survey from The Athletic of 90 active NBA players, only 30% said they would support reducing the schedule to 70 games. Coaches and executives also favor keeping things as-is. In a league poll, 75% of coaches vouched to keep 82 games. Miami Heat President Pat Riley commented, "I think it would be a big mistake" to drop games. This precedent and resistance makes it difficult to alter the traditional schedule.

Balanced Scheduling Formula

The 82 game season also allows the NBA to perfectly implement its balanced scheduling model. With 2 conferences of 15 teams each, the 82 games allows each club to play:

• Division rivals (4 teams) = 4 times each = 16 games
• Conference teams (10 total) = 4 times each = 40 games
• Teams in other conference (15) = 2 times each = 30 games

This ensures an equal distribution of conference and non-conference matchups that is seen as the fairest approach by team executives and league officials. "It makes the most sense competitively," said Warriors GM Bob Myers.

Collective Bargaining Concessions

The NBA schedule, including number of games, is collectively bargained by the league and players‘ union. The last major debate came during the 1998-99 lockout, when NBA commissioner David Stern and union head Billy Hunter considered reducing the schedule to 77-78 games. The players stood firm wanting no reduction, and got the 82 games enshrined even further in the new CBA.

In summary, the 82-game NBA season has its roots in league expansion of the late 1960s and scheduling maximization. The revenues, competitive balance, precedent, and negotiating all favor this traditional length endorsed by owners, media, and fans alike. After 50+ years, don‘t expect the 82 game structure to change any time soon.