Adam Silver Teases the Possibility of Shorter NBA Games

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Thinks 10-Minute Quarters Could Be the Next Big Thing for the League

· Jan 30 - 5 minutes read

So, Adam Silver Had an Idea

Is it just me, or has the NBA been losing its aura more and more lately? Between continuously being stomped on the ratings by other sporting leagues like the NFL and fans experiencing a disconnect, it’s safe to say that pro hoops have seen better days.

If you don’t believe me, just ask NBA predictions followers.

Adam Silver Teases the Possibility of Shorter NBA Games — Commissioner of the NBA Adam Silver-MUSTAFA YALCIN / ANADOLU / Anadolu via AFP

Yesterday, in a move that baffled hoops fans, experts, and everyone in between, league commissioner Adam Silver made NBA news headlines after throwing into the ring his latest idea to try and bring the sport’s popularity back.

Speaking with sports news guru Dan Patrick on the Dan Patrick Show, Silver talked about shortening the length of pro basketball games from its current four-quarter, 48-minute format to a similar four-quarter but 40-minute format.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver floats the idea of changing the game from 12 to 10 minute quarters #NBA pic.twitter.com/ymajYHTgi4

— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) January 29, 2025

Yes, for NBA commissioner Adam Silver, cutting the action by eight minutes, two minutes per quarter, could help improve the league’s current struggle to keep fans watching games and up to date with all the action.

Stating: “I am a fan of four 10-minute quarters. I’m not sure that many others are. Putting aside what it means for records and things like that, I think a two-hour format for a game is more consistent with modern television habits.” Silver is right about one thing: while he may be a fan of the idea, not many others might be looking at this and saying, “Damn, that’s exactly what the NBA needs!”

“All he wants to do is get reaction. Gather information, and decide whether they should do that.”

-Dan on the reaction to Adam Silver floating idea of 10 minute quarters in the #NBA pic.twitter.com/wMpOKz2hBK

— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) January 30, 2025

Suppose his endgame was to get a reaction out of people, good on him for getting people talking. But if he was waiting to get a positive response, well, that’s a whole other story.

Just Because Silver’s a Fan, It Doesn’t Mean Everyone Else Is

Thinking more in-depth about shortening the game by eight minutes almost begs the question of what kind of reaction Silver expected from fans. If you look at the numbers, NBA games don’t take that long.

NFL games easily run past the three-hour mark. Baseball games are right up there, too, with a broadcast time of two and a half hours and beyond. So maybe, just maybe, instead of thinking about shortening games, Silver should be thinking about tackling other important in-game issues.

Following Silver’s spot with Patrick, reporters quickly started looking for reactions from coaches and players around the league, and, as expected, nobody is rushing to stand by Silver’s side on this.

For instance, Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone pleaded for the game not to become a new version of the “Barnum & Bailey” circus just to keep ratings up, pleading for the game’s respect and integrity to be kept intact.

Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone got honest when talking about NBA commissioner Adam Silver proposing 10-minute NBA quarters:

“I hope we don’t go to 10-minute quarters. I hope we don’t go to the four-point line. I hope we don’t become Barnum & Bailey where we’re just… pic.twitter.com/8x2bNeHVSP

— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) January 30, 2025

Not to be outdone by Malone, New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeaux, taking a second from running a team that’s becoming everybody’s favorite NBA pick today, also doubled down on the idea that focussing on competition could lead to a revamp in the league, not making the game shorter.

Tom Thibodeau was asked about Adam Silver’s comments today regarding the NBA hypothetically going to 10-minute quarters:

“I think what the fans enjoy is great competition. I think if we focus on the competition aspect of it, everything else will fall into place.” pic.twitter.com/dp0BVtjhrB

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 29, 2025

If you ask me, I’m with my man Thib here, and not just because I’m a Knicks fan.

Sorry ‘Commish,’ Better Luck Thinking Next Time

So, what now? You know, after everybody comes together and agrees that Silver’s idea holds as much power as having Ben Simmons in a three-point contest?

Should we talk about other ways to improve the game, like late last year when a new format to the All-Star Game was introduced? Or maybe focus on Adam Silver’s net worth and ponder on how a man with such crappy ideas can have so much money?

There are ways to improve the game—that’s no secret—but shortening it is clearly not one of them.

You can SO EASILY make it a 2 hour product with the same amount of gametime by starting on time, eliminating/limiting/quickening reviews, adopting G-league FT rules, and limiting timeouts. https://t.co/ayO6CjdjmX

— Rit Holtzman (@BenRitholtzNBA) January 29, 2025

Here’s to hoping Silver can develop functioning ideas to better the spectacle because right now, the “commish” looks like LeBron James of not have a clue on how to do his job.