The NBA and it’s ratings issues

With the 2024-2025 NBA season well underway, many fans are upset with the on court product and as a result viewership is down across the board. In a time where the three other major American sports are thriving, the NBA seems to be unable to pull in a consistent base. The court is packed with the most talent the league has ever seen, with international stars competing with American players for the top spots. The likes of Giannis, Luka, Jokic, and SGA are going head to head nightly with Brunson, Tatum, Durant, Curry, and LeBron and yet every year since 2000 has seen less and less consumers. Part of the problem is accessibility, especially considering the cost to watch a game is astronomical compared to other leagues. Looking at the NFL, the average price per viewer for networks is $3.75 while the NBA is sitting at around $15 per viewer between ABC, Disney and Amazon’s rights costs. Including cable TV, there are seven services that offer NBA games. It’s too much. If the league wants people to tune in, it has to lower costs and make viewing more streamlined. The average person doesn’t want to pay for a bunch of different services every month that they only use for games every once in a while. Another problem is the product that the league is putting on the floor. People are tired of watching the games because it lacks authenticity. Many want to blame the three point shot for the game’s downfall but it shouldn’t be the main argument for why the game is doing so poorly. Maybe Commissioner Adam Silver should start holding his stars more accountable, as the former MVP Joel Embiid is seemingly always unable to play, and other stars like Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard deal with load management constantly. If someone pays for all these services to watch a game, they should know that the players they are paying to see are on the court. Silver has tried to implement rules that invalidate players for regular season awards if they miss extended stints but it’s failed to work. Why? Most likely because the players have been given the reigns to the league and put in minimal effort with passing, defense and inside offense. Fans want to see highlight plays which only happen if players are putting their best game out there every time. How can the league expect players to care about their game and their teams when they are shipped around franchises constantly, only looking for money. Lebron may be the greatest player of all time but there’s something to be said for a legend like Jordan who won six championships with one team and did it by attacking the rim with flair. The NBA is in a rut right now that it can pull itself out of, but it’s going to take a major push from all across the league. Between refereeing, ownership, players’ accountability, coaching, and the league front office, the sport has the ability to return to its heyday with a full fledged push towards what made the brand so recognizable and appreciated.