The Rise of the NBA With Hannah Storm | The Deal

Hannah Storm's Interview

• Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly introduce Hannah Storm as their guest for the show.
• Hannah Storm expresses her excitement about being interviewed by Alex Rodriguez.
• They discuss the current state of basketball, particularly the success of the Minnesota Timberwolves and the parity in the league.
• Hannah Storm highlights the importance of fan bases and the excitement generated when teams that haven't had much success in the past start winning.
• They mention the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, and San Antonio Spurs as examples of well-run franchises with sustained success.

Hannah Storm's Personal Connection to Basketball

• Hannah Storm shares her personal connection to basketball, as her father was a sports executive involved in various basketball teams and eventually became the commissioner of the ABA, leading to the merger with the NBA.
• She recalls attending games with her family and remembers the names of the referees due to her mother's vocal criticism of them during the games.
• The NBA adopted several innovations from the ABA, including slam dunks, three-pointers, and exciting halftime shows.
• The ABA provided players with more personal and salary leverage, empowering them in ways that were not possible in the NBA at the time.

Hannah Storm's Career in Sports Broadcasting

• Hannah Storm's presence as a sportscaster was significant, as she was one of the few women in the male-dominated industry and commanded respect from both athletes and colleagues.
• Despite facing challenges and discrimination as a woman in sports journalism, Hannah Storm maintained her integrity and professionalism by focusing on her work and taking the high road.
• Storm's approach to her job was to do her best and let her work speak for itself, rather than engaging in self-promotion or getting into conflicts.
• The author reflects on her experience as a sports reporter during the 1990s, particularly covering baseball and basketball.
• She mentions an incident during the World Series when she refused to leave the dugout despite pressure from the media, leading to a significant fine for the player involved.
• The author highlights the challenges of working in male-dominated locker rooms and her efforts to find alternative solutions for interviews.
• She discusses the cultural impact of Michael Jordan and the NBA in the 1990s, comparing it to the concept of "must-see TV" and the popularity of shows like "Friends" and "Seinfeld."
• The author emphasizes the significance of Jordan's influence on the perception of basketball players as businesspeople, particularly through his partnership with Nike and the iconic "shoe deal."
• She also reflects on her positive interactions with Jordan, describing him as funny, down-to-earth, and respectful, especially during her time covering the Charlotte Hornets.
• The author concludes by praising the NBA locker rooms for being the most conducive to coverage compared to other sports, attributing this to the players' educational backgrounds and media exposure.

Hannah Storm's Transition to Morning Television

• After 40 years in the sports broadcasting industry, Storm decided to try something different and transitioned to morning television due to the lack of female representation in sports coverage during her childhood.
• She started her career as a heavy metal DJ before moving into sports radio and eventually working for the Houston Astros and Rockets.
• Storm's educational background was in international studies, but her passion for sports led her to pursue a career in sports broadcasting.
• The transition to morning television was challenging but allowed her to have a more stable schedule and be present for her children.

Hannah Storm's Advice for Young People in the Media Industry

• Hannah Storm discussed her journey in the sports media industry and shared her experiences in producing and selling content in the evolving media landscape.
• She highlighted the importance of owning intellectual property and mentioned her various projects, including podcasts, graphic novels, and a partnership with the NBA and iHeart for a podcast series called "N-B-A-D-N-A with Hannah Storm."
• Storm emphasized the significance of establishing intellectual property and exploring different avenues to monetize content, even if it may not result in immediate financial success.
• She shared her advice for young people aspiring to work in the media industry, stressing the importance of hard work, perseverance, and not taking rejection personally.
• Storm drew parallels between her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated industry and the concept of failure in baseball, emphasizing the need to embrace failure and continue striving for success.

Hannah Storm's Concerns about Mental Health

• The speaker expresses concern about friends who become severely depressed and paralyzed for months after facing rejection.
• The speaker believes this issue is partly due to the influence of social media and society's emphasis on physical appearance and external factors.
• The speaker emphasizes the importance of working collectively to counter these negative influences.
• The speaker suggests that feeling pressure can be a privilege and encourages individuals to maintain an open mindset.
• The speaker encourages individuals to try new things, even those that scare them, as unexpected opportunities may arise.