Discover the nostalgic journey of 'Roundball Rock,' the iconic NBA theme from the 90s. With insights from John Tesh, learn about the intricate negotiations for its potential return to NBC and how it contrasts between generations. The hosts share humorous anecdotes and explore the emotional ties fans have to the music while discussing plans to modernize it. They also reflect on the complexities of media rights and the challenges of the entertainment industry, all while emphasizing the importance of confidence on game day.
John Tesh's 'Roundball Rock' symbolizes a nostalgic connection to the NBA's heyday and raises questions about its relevance to today’s audience.
Ongoing negotiations for the song's licensing highlight the balance between respecting its legacy and the financial realities of modern broadcasting.
Deep dives
Risk Management and Investment Philosophy
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The Cultural Impact of Round Ball Rock
Round Ball Rock, composed by John Tesh, became an iconic theme for the NBA on NBC during the 1990s, capturing the spirit of basketball's explosive popularity at the time, particularly with Michael Jordan's success. Despite its nostalgic value, there are concerns about whether the younger audience recognizes the song, prompting discussions regarding its re-licensing as the NBA returns to NBC. The ongoing negotiations explore the financial aspects, with Tesh reportedly seeking millions for the rights, a significant increase compared to standard theme song licensing costs. This highlights how deeply ingrained sports music can become in pop culture and its potential influence on fan engagement.
Negotiations and Future Prospects
The negotiations surrounding the licensing of Round Ball Rock involve complexities, with both John Tesh and NBC Sports working towards an agreement that respects the song's legacy while addressing financial expectations. There's ongoing speculation about alternate options, such as Amazon potentially creating its own theme music, though the NBA mandates its unique identification for own broadcasts. Both parties appear to be committed to finding a middle ground, with Tesh even considering various innovative promotional strategies involving high school competitions based on his music. As talks continue, there remains strong public interest and emotional investment in the potential return of the iconic theme to the NBA broadcasts.
In this bonus episode of Squawk Pod, the beloved “Roundball Rock” NBA theme song could make a return to NBC. CNBC’s Alex Sherman shares the latest on the rights to the iconic song and whether fans will hear it when the NBA returns to NBC starting in 2025. The Roundball Rock composer himself, John Tesh, heard us squawking about his song and reacted to it on his podcast. Tesh then joined Squawk Box to share his perspective on the likelihood of a rights deal and his song making a comeback.