NBA Intro to Business Case Study | Reader’s Theater Format | Econ 101

This NBA Intro to Business Case Study in Reader’s Theater format will engage your business, marketing, or entrepreneurship class with the epic rise of the National Basketball Association from a humble peach basket in 1891 to a global $8.8 billion powerhouse with 30 teams. Tired of dry expository text? This narrative hooks high school students with a thrilling journey through the NBA’s real-world hustle, spotlighting icons like James Naismith, David Stern, and Michael Jordan. Watch Naismith invent hoops under tight constraints, Stern turn players into marketing gold with billion-dollar TV deals, and Jordan build a $2.1 billion empire—all while unpacking 10 key business and economics concepts (see script summary). Spanning 10 acts across 130 years, the script features 9 characters—including Naismith, Stern, Jordan, narrators, and a hype Student—perfect for role assignment in a 50-minute class.

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What's included?

1) Teacher's Guide & Answer Key

• Standards Alignment (CCSS, NCSS, NCSEE, NCHS, CEE)
• Teacher Tips for use as RT
• Answer Keys for all worksheet sections
• Themes & Discussion Question Prompts
• Format: MSWORD DOC (11 pages)

2) Readers Theater Script

• ~9 Characters, 3100 words,
• Format: Google Doc (10 pages) (Can be downloaded to PDF, etc)

3) Script Worksheet

• 10 Vocabulary Words
• 10 Short-Answer Questions: Comprehension and recall questions based solely on the script.
• 3 Primary Source Exploration: Students must connect concepts in the script with outside sources (links to primary source text provided).
• Fact vs. Fiction: Identifying whether script details are fact or fictional narrative elements within the script.
• 10 Business Concepts in the Case Study: 10 Questions that explore how the story demonstrates key business concepts and application of them in students' lives.
• Format: Google Slides (32 Slides) (Can be downloaded to PDF, etc)

Teaching Tips for Using the Script:

• For More Students: Main character can be read by multiple students.
• For Less Students: Minor characters can be read by just one student.
• This script should take about ~25 minutes and depending on your classroom's level it may be suitable for other grade levels.
• An extra ~25 minutes for prep, discussion, vocabulary or short answer comprehension questions should also be planned.
• The included primary source exploration and business concept questions can be assigned for homework.

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Script Summary:

(Note: Each act covers an important business/entrepreneurship concept)

• Act 1: Scarcity and Choice - In 1891 Springfield, Naismith invents basketball with a soccer ball and peach basket due to limited resources, and the YMCA spreads it globally by 1900.
• Act 2: Supply and Demand - By the 1920s-1940s, college and barnstorming teams like the Globetrotters surge in popularity, but demand for a pro league outstrips supply.
• Act 3: Entrepreneurial Mindset - In 1946, hockey arena owners launch the BAA, risking a raw start that tips off in Toronto.
• Act 4: Business Idea Generation - The 1949 BAA-NBL merger forms the NBA, and the 1954 shot clock boosts game pace.
• Act 5: Market Research - In 1964, players like Russell and Chamberlain use fan pull to win pensions in an All-Star standoff.
• Act 6: Business Planning - Facing the 1967 ABA threat, the NBA plans a 1976 merger, absorbing innovations like the three-pointer.
• Act 7: Marketing and Sales - In 1984, Stern markets Jordan, landing $875 million TV deals by 1989.
• Act 8: Financial Management - The 1983 revenue split (53% to players) and 1990s sharing sustain growth.
• Act 9: Macroeconomic Concepts - The 1992 Dream Team globalizes the NBA, but 2019 China tensions risk $400 million.
• Act 10: Personal Finance - In the 2010s-2020, players like Jordan ($2.1B) and LeBron (119M followers) turn pay into empires, boosting team values 6X.