NBA salary cap increase lower than expected amid declining local revenue

The NBA announced a salary cap increase of approximately 6.5% for the 2026-27 season, falling short of the 10% expected by teams. Factors contributing to this include reduced basketball-related income due to a shorter postseason, which resulted in fewer playoff games, and ongoing declines in local television revenue. The league's new national media contracts were anticipated to support a larger cap growth, but financial pressures from regional sports networks continue to affect franchises across varying markets. NBA executives recognize that these local media challenges could hinder long-term revenue strategies, prompting discussions on potential league expansion before local rights agreements expire in 2027.

• 4:54 PMYahoo Sports — NBA executives point to one reason salary cap fell short of expectations