**NEW YORK** — The NBA celebrated its 80th birthday Sunday by reflecting on eight decades of remarkable progress, from 75-cent tickets and free admission for tall people to billion-dollar franchises, gambling partnerships, and arena beers that now require a payment plan.
On November 1, 1946, the New York Knicks defeated the Toronto Huskies 68–66 at Maple Leaf Gardens in the first game of the Basketball Association of America, the league that would eventually become the NBA.
Tickets started at just 75 cents, and anyone taller than Toronto's 6-foot-8 center George Nostrand could attend for free.
Under those rules, Victor Wembanyama could have walked straight into the arena without paying.
Today, he'd probably be charged extra for obstructing the view of a luxury suite.
The league has since evolved considerably.
What began as a modest basketball competition now features $100 million contracts, 40-foot three-pointers, load management, official gambling partnerships, and replay reviews long enough to qualify as documentary films.
Fans can watch games from virtually anywhere, provided they subscribe to the correct streaming service, understand regional blackout restrictions, and possess the investigative skills necessary to locate the broadcast.
Meanwhile, the original 68–66 final score would now trigger an emergency meeting about offensive spacing.
NBA officials have reportedly praised the league's extraordinary transformation, noting that basketball has never been more popular, profitable, or expensive to experience.
Eighty years ago, the NBA offered free admission to its tallest fans.
Today, even the players need credentials to enter.
That's progress.
