For the first time last year the NBA in an attempt to boost viewership during the mid-season made the addition of an in-season tournament.  This concept, although new to U.S. sports, is used by many soccer leagues overseas to keep viewers entertained during the mid-season and they have done it very successfully.  However, the NBA has not pulled it off quite as well showing little statistical difference in viewership.

The NBA has done all that it can to promote it to the general public however the problem with the cup is the player promotion.  The NBA offers a $500,000 bonus for winners of the cup as well as the title.  However, the cup title is not nearly as important as the final title for many.  As a result, many star players that single-handedly attract views sat out in order not to risk their health for later in the season.  The $500,000 bonus has also been mocked or gained little traction among players because many of them already make several times that.

What the NBA can do to combat these problems is make the cup victory a guaranteed seed placement in the finals or a big boost into seeding.  Many players and teams will be drawn into this because the better they perform during the cup the easier the rest of their regular season can be.  Doing this will also draw in more of the public eye now that more is on the line for cup winners. 

The NBA could also add a smaller playoff victory bonus instead of just the final bonus because this will promote many rookie players making smaller salaries to work for each playoff victory.  This will also allow larger earning players to earn enough for them to see a difference in their earnings if their team can make a playoff run.  Regardless, the NBA will have to make changes soon if they hope to reverse their declining viewership.