Williamsburg Regional Library

From hang time to prime time, business, entertainment, and the birth of the modern-day NBA, Pete Croatto

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 321-322) and index

contains biographical information

illustrationsplates

index present

non fiction

From hang time to prime time

bibliography

1139765002

Pete Croatto

business, entertainment, and the birth of the modern-day NBA

Explores the NBA's surge in popularity in the 1970s and 1980s and its transformation into a global cultural institution. Far beyond simply being a sports league, the NBA has become an entertainment and pop culture juggernaut. From all kinds of team logo merchandise to officially branded video games and players crossing over into reality television, film, fashion lines, and more, there is an inseparable line between sports and entertainment. But only four decades ago, this would have been unthinkable. Croatto takes us behind the scenes to the meetings that led to the monumental American Basketball Association-National Basketball Association merger in 1976, revolutionizing the NBA's image. He pays homage to legendary talents including Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan and reveals how two polar-opposite rookies, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, led game attendance to skyrocket and racial lines to dissolve. Croatto also dives into CBS's personality-driven coverage of key players, as well as other cable television efforts, which launched NBA players into unprecedented celebrity status

Introduction: Our game -- The politician, the doctor, and the brat -- The players get their close-up -- Setting up the business plan -- Getting ready for star time -- Oh shit... here we go -- Finding a soundtrack, gaining a culture -- Making a Super Bowl -- The accidental god -- Let's go to the videotape! -- Imports and exports -- Ready for prime time -- Postgame -- It's my game now

adult