Amen, Amen.
At Monday’s introductory press conference, Houston Rockets first-round pick Amen Thompson addressed a topic that’s obviously been weighing on him for some time, lamenting the price of NBA League Pass.
“I always grew up watching basketball,” said Thompson, who the Rockets selected fourth overall in Thursday night’s draft, one pick before his brother, Ausar, at No. 5. “I had League Pass every year. A little overpriced.”
https://twitter.com/ClutchPointsApp/status/1673431600204316674
League Pass has existed in some capacity for almost 30 years, granting access to as many as 40 out-of-market games per week. While the popular DTC (direct-to-consumer) service is not without its drawbacks, its $14.99 monthly fee ($19.99 for premium) is actually pretty reasonable compared to what it used to be.
Facing increased competition in the streaming space, League Pass dropped its price by 56 percent last year, charging $130 for the full season, a far cry from the $280 subscribers paid in 2021-22.
Not that Thompson has to worry much about money these days. He’ll soon put pen to paper on a four-year, $40-million contract with a chance to earn significantly more in endorsements (League Pass is actually free for players, as per the CBA.) Still, Thompson’s quip was a clever way to get fans on his side, voicing a complaint shared by most of the basketball community.
https://twitter.com/RowdyMaya/status/1673493535390138370
I love everything I've seen/heard from this kid https://t.co/YIlIEsEPiF
— Sabreena Merchant (@sabreenajm) June 26, 2023
i have never seen rookie of the year decided in june until now https://t.co/kOSBoMJyIS
— Jonathan Soveta (@eighteenyards) June 26, 2023
Amen only speaks facts i’m telling ya https://t.co/JjYV4eA2Ek
— overtime maddy (@overtimemaddy) June 26, 2023
https://twitter.com/BronToAD/status/1673553931924807680
About Jesse Pantuosco
Jesse Pantuosco joined Awful Announcing as a contributing writer in May 2023. He’s also written for Audacy and NBC Sports. A graduate of Syracuse’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications with a master’s degree in creative writing from Fairfield University, Pantuosco has won three Fantasy Sports Writers Association Awards. He lives in West Hartford, Connecticut and never misses a Red Sox, Celtics or Patriots game.