I think this is coming directly from the NBA, down to iNDemand. NBA needs all the allies it can get, and additional customers ponying up now helps them make their case in negotiations. They're set to lose millions already, why not try to at least stem the bleeding by giving customers some "hope" in all of this.

I also believe that because Uverse is different than the old cable and satellite models that AT&T's been given the brush-off in these sports deals. They didn't seem to have too much problem with Verizon coming along, because they pretty much are just like the cable companies in reaching customers' homes, when it comes to infrastructure. So somehow they don't take AT&T as "seriously" as Verizon. And because Uverse is newer than FiOS. Saw the same thing happen when Ameritech brought out their Americast cable competition (now known as WOW, in IL, MI, IN, OH) to Comcast and Time Warner. Their little upstart wasn't taken seriously ... until someone noticed that those subscribers had to come from somewhere -- and that meant the previous gravy train owners.