The NBA released the entire 2008/09 season schedule today, including national broadcast schedules for TNT, ABC, and ESPN. 

As reported on NBA.com, the season will open at 8:00 PM on October 28 in Boston, with the Celtics hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Immediately following that game, the Lakers will host Portland at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.   ESPN will begin their broadcast schedule the next night with a Western Conference double header featuring the Spurs versus the Suns, and the Lakers taking on the Clippers.

The schedule is filled with marketing opportunities for each network.  For example, on Christmas day, each of the three broadcast partners will have a televised game.  Additionally, ESPN will show 72 regular season games (including 27 double-headers), TNT 53 more (including the All Star Game on February 15), and ABC will have exclusive rights to the NBA Finals in June.

The entire schedule is available  for viewing and downloading at NBA.com.

 OTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK

• Ranking the Top 10 Markets for Relocation or Expansion - The Biz of Baseball
• SEE IT: MLB, Cardinals Release All-Star Game Logo - The Biz of Baseball
• MLB Net Taps Art Marquez for Sales. Harlem Office Delayed - The Biz of Baseball
• Skimgate Continues, Yankee Employees Placed on Leave - The Biz of Baseball
• How Mark Cuban Has Become a Front Runner for Cubs - The Biz of Baseball
• Fenway Sports Group Signs PGA Tour Pro Brett Quigley - The Biz of Baseball
• Biz of Baseball Organizational Report - Houston Astros - The Biz of Baseball
• Sunday MLB on TBS: Comments from Angels/Yankees Game - The Biz of Baseball
• Dodger Stadium to Host Semis and Finals of WBC - The Biz of Baseball
• Chicago's Wrigley Field to Host Next Outdoor Classic on New Years Day - The Biz of Hockey
• NHL Network To Commemorate 20th Anniversary of Gretzky Trade to Kings - The Biz of Hockey
• NHL Coaching Carousel Slows, Teams Line-Up Coaching Staffs - The Biz of Hockey
• Canucks Raise Prices, Retain Season Ticket Holders - The Biz of Hockey
• Chicago's Wrigley Field to Host Next Outdoor Classic on New Years Day - The Biz of Hockey
• Jaromir Jagr First Major NHL Player to Crossover to Continental Hockey League - The Biz of Hockey