Hannah Storm’s analysis of how pro basketball got so big is pretty simple: That guy from North Carolina.

“What happened was Michael Jordan,” Storm said on the latest episode of The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly. She should know, since the pioneering television broadcaster and ESPN anchor was there from before the beginning. She had a front-row seat—literally—to basketball’s popular explosion in the 1980s, when Jordan electrified not just the sport but the broader culture. Storm witnessed how basketball came to compete with and eventually usurp baseball in the national conversation. 

One of Storm’s key assets when it came to explaining basketball and other sports to viewers was her familiarity with the inner workings of the industry. Her father, the late Mike Storen, was the commissioner of the American Basketball Association (which ultimately merged with the National Basketball Association), as well as the first general manager of the Indiana Pacers. (In case you’re wondering, Hannah Storen became “Hannah Storm” thanks to a stint as a hard-rock deejay in the 1980s).

These days, basketball feels like it’s at another catalytic moment, as one generation (LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant) edges toward the end of long careers and make way for a new wave. That younger cohort includes players like Nikola Jokic and reigning most-valuable-player Joel Embiid.

As a sports broadcaster, Storm said her profession faces a challenge in covering the NBA. She explained that her colleagues must redouble their efforts to search out less obvious stories and characters rather than falling back on marquee names and teams.

You can also watchThe Deal on Bloomberg Originals, YouTube or Bloomberg TV.

Hannah Storm’s analysis of how pro basketball got so big is pretty simple: That guy from North Carolina.
“What happened was Michael Jordan,” Storm said on the latest episode of The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly. She should know, since the pioneering television broadcaster and ESPN anchor was there from before the beginning. She had a front-row seat—literally—to basketball’s popular explosion in the 1980s, when Jordan electrified not just the sport but the broader culture. Storm witnessed how basketball came to compete with and eventually usurp baseball in the national conversation. 
One of Storm’s key assets when it came to explaining basketball and other sports to viewers was her familiarity with the inner workings of the industry. Her father, the late Mike Storen, was the commissioner of the American Basketball Association (which ultimately merged with the National Basketball Association), as well as the first general manager of the Indiana Pacers. (In case you’re wondering, Hannah Storen became “Hannah Storm” thanks to a stint as a hard-rock deejay in the 1980s).
These days, basketball feels like it’s at another catalytic moment, as one generation (LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant) edges toward the end of long careers and make way for a new wave. That younger cohort includes players like Nikola Jokic and reigning most-valuable-player Joel Embiid.
As a sports broadcaster, Storm said her profession faces a challenge in covering the NBA. She explained that her colleagues must redouble their efforts to search out less obvious stories and characters rather than falling back on marquee names and teams.
You can also <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqq4LnWs3olVBGEKt2ic0bxP67gMb4m-X">watch</a> The Deal on Bloomberg Originals, YouTube or Bloomberg TV.

When sports, business and culture collide, there’s often a deal to be made. Join Alex Rodriguez and Bloomberg correspondent Jason Kelly as they get the inside track from corporate titans, sports champions and game-changing entrepreneurs on investing, strategy, reinvention and the ones that got away. The Deal is a Bloomberg Podcasts and Bloomberg Originals series that’s passionate, relaxed, insightful and inspirational. If you think you know these icons, prepare to be surprised.

Hosts:

Alex Rodriguez is chairman and chief executive of A-Rod Corp, an investment firm that backs startups and partners with global companies across real estate, sports and entertainment. While best known as a fourteen-time All-Star and World Series champion with the New York Yankees, Rodriguez is now an owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx sports teams and an on-air analyst for Major League Baseball.

Jason Kelly is the chief correspondent of Bloomberg Originals. During his two decades at Bloomberg, Kelly has served as executive editor of Bloomberg Television, hosted Bloomberg Businessweek on television and radio, and also hosted Power Players and Next in Sports series. He’s also the author of two books, The New Tycoons, about the global private equity industry, and Sweat Equity, an inside look at the business of fitness.

When sports, business and culture collide, there’s often a deal to be made. Join Alex Rodriguez and Bloomberg correspondent Jason Kelly as they get the inside track from corporate titans, sports champions and game-changing entrepreneurs on investing, strategy, reinvention and the ones that got away. The Deal is a Bloomberg Podcasts and Bloomberg Originals series that’s passionate, relaxed, insightful and inspirational. If you think you know these icons, prepare to be surprised.
Hosts:
Alex Rodriguez is chairman and chief executive of A-Rod Corp, an investment firm that backs startups and partners with global companies across real estate, sports and entertainment. While best known as a fourteen-time All-Star and World Series champion with the New York Yankees, Rodriguez is now an owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx sports teams and an on-air analyst for Major League Baseball.
Jason Kelly is the chief correspondent of Bloomberg Originals. During his two decades at Bloomberg, Kelly has served as executive editor of Bloomberg Television, hosted Bloomberg Businessweek on television and radio, and also hosted Power Players and Next in Sports series. He’s also the author of two books, The New Tycoons, about the global private equity industry, and Sweat Equity, an inside look at the business of fitness.

The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly

Hannah Storm’s Front-Row Seat to the NBA’s Rise

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/851096c5-643a-4a1f-8bc6-b13f013aa780/transcript

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