NBA already considering new ways to spice up All-Star Game after flop
The NBA is already trying to tinker with its next All-Star Weekend after the 2025 changes were met with mixed results.
Among the changes being discussed is the inclusion of a 1-on-1 tournament styled in a similar fashion to the one Unrivaled – the women’s 3v3 league in its inaugural season – hosted on Friday, according to multiple reports.
Front Office Sports reported that a $1 million prize for the winner of a 1-on-1 tourney during next year’s All-Star festivities had been discussed and The Mirror US spoke with NBAPA vice president Grant Williams in San Francisco, who hinted at the possibility as well.
“I feel like there’s nothing that’s been left off the table in terms of conversation,” Williams told the outlet. “You’re going to have all the ideas. I feel like everyone’s going to have something new that they want to spitball or talk about. But it’s a matter of what you decide to move forward with and what players are comfortable with, what the league is comfortable with.
Grant Williams and Grant Hill during the Basketball Hall of Fame Press Conference as part of NBA All-Star Weekend on Friday, February 14, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NBAE via Getty Images
“And we’re seeing success with that in Unrivaled with the WNBA. You never know. Who knows if we can adapt it? Who knows if we don’t? But it’s just more so trying to figure out what’s best for not only the players but for the league.”
Next year’s NBA All-Star Game will be on a new broadcast network after the league ends its 40-year run with TNT after this season.
NBC will be the new home of the All-Star Game and will surely be looking for the league to spice things up as it takes over covering the annual midseason celebration.
Napheesa Collier, right, drives past Aaliyah Edwards on her way to winning the Unrivaled 1-on-1 basketball final, in Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, in Medley, Fla. AP
Jayson Tatum (front) and Zach Edey (back) are in action during the game between team Shaq’s OGs and team Candace’s Rising Stars on 2025 NBA All-Star night at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. Anadolu
Among other changes being discussed for next year included an earlier start time and trying to get some of the league’s stars to actually participate in the slam dunk contest.
The NBA has been trying to contend with growing disinterest in the All-Star Game from fans and its own players.
The format change to a mini-tournament was an attempt to bring back competitive nature to the All-Star Game.
