In the world of sports music, few compositions are as instantly recognizable and celebrated as “Roundball Rock,” the NBA on NBC theme song. Created by John Tesh, this iconic tune became synonymous with basketball during its run from 1990 to 2002, and it is set to make a triumphant return in 2025.
The story of “Roundball Rock” begins in an unexpected place: a hotel room in Europe. In 1989, John Tesh, then a host on “Entertainment Tonight,” was covering the Tour de France. During this time, he learned that NBC was seeking a theme for its newly acquired NBA broadcast rights. A lifelong musician, Tesh began to ponder what a basketball theme might sound like.
One night, at 2 a.m., inspiration struck. Tesh woke up with a melody in his head. Without any recording equipment at hand, he called his home answering machine and sang the tune to himself to ensure he wouldn’t forget it.
Upon returning home, Tesh retrieved his message and set to work in the studio. He wanted to be the first to submit a theme idea to NBC, so he quickly assembled a full orchestra to bring his vision to life. The composition featured piano, bass, drums, and guitar, with the tempo set to match the average dribble rate of a basketball fast break—around 120 beats per minute.
The result was a dynamic and energetic piece that perfectly captured the excitement of basketball. NBC executives were impressed, and “Roundball Rock” was chosen as the theme for their NBA broadcasts.
“Roundball Rock” debuted on November 3, 1990, during a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs. The song quickly became a beloved part of the NBA viewing experience, played approximately 12,000 times during NBC’s coverage.
Even after NBC lost the NBA broadcast rights in 2002, the song’s legacy endured. It was used in various other sports broadcasts and even sampled in popular music. Fans continued to associate the tune with the golden era of NBA basketball.
Now, NBC announced that “Roundball Rock” would return as part of their new media rights deal with the NBA, starting in 2025. This decision underscores the enduring appeal of Tesh’s composition and its place in sports history.
TURN IT UP. I LOVE THIS SONG!
The NBA is coming back – Fall 2025 on NBC and Peacock. pic.twitter.com/xz6hOVbpZE
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) July 24, 2024
