While the NFL is figuring out how to monetize Bluesky, the NBA has opted to embrace the alternative social media platform. During All-Star Weekend on Sunday, the league created its official account using Bluesky’s verification process, linking its URL directly to its website.
As of 4:00 p.m. ET on Monday, the NBA account had gained 5.5k followers, though it has not yet made any posts. This account joins four presumed official NBA team accounts on Bluesky, including the Portland Trail Blazers, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and Dallas Mavericks. The NBA now stands alongside Major League Baseball as the two leading U.S. pro sports leagues with accounts on Bluesky, although neither has posted anything thus far. Notably, the NBA has been actively posting on Meta’s Threads.
In early January, it was reported that the NFL had requested that the New England Patriots remove their fledgling Bluesky account. The league is currently working to determine the best way to monetize its presence on the platform before considering joining itself. Meanwhile, several Bluesky users have filed a lawsuit against the NFL for not having a presence on Bluesky, as they wish to follow the league without needing to join Elon Musk’s X.
As for Musk, his current activities involving the U.S. government might influence how leagues like the NBA and NFL conduct their business. While it’s unclear if this played a role in the NBA’s decision to join Bluesky, it is likely to spark ongoing discussions about the implications of Musk’s actions under President Donald Trump and how major corporations, leagues, and teams perceive their associations with him, whether directly or indirectly.
