Beginning in 1986, TBS televised the various contests from the NBA All-Star Weekend….when in 1987, the slam dunk contest. 3-point shootout and the legends game….as seen in this video herewith….was 1st televised live for the very first time on the network.
In the summer of 1987, the Turner Broadcasting System signed a new joint broadcast contract between TBS and TNT….which was effective with the 1988-89 NBA season….when beginning that season, TBS and TNT split broadcast rights to televise NBA games. TNT held rights to broadcast the NBA Draft and most NBA regular season and playoff games….while TBS only aired single games or double-headers once a week.
In this 1987 video, WTBS guest host for the All Star Saturday Night program were NBA Hall of Fame members Warriors Rick Barry and Celtics Bill Russell and Red Auerbach…..who shine the spotlight on the night’s events including the Legends Game, the 3-point shootout and the slam dunk contest….as “Red & Russ” shine the light on the NBA stars of the past…..who are matched against each other in the Legends Classic.
