How far we've come by the way.
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) September 19, 2023
NBA first debuted on cable in 1979. Here's the headline for an AP story that year about how network execs and league commissioners feared cable would ruin sports on TV, and ESPN's founder cheekily called it a "bold, kooky, wild approach." pic.twitter.com/UuU9Z3tptP