Many Opinions As To Why NBA Is Struggling To Start The Season

Published on December 2nd, 2024 3:28 pm EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


In what can only be described as exceptionally bad timing for the NBA and its media rights holders, ratings for the league are down significantly to start the 2024-25 season.

This is a black eye for the league and bad news for its rights holders, who just shelled out more than $70 billion for the right to broadcast the league's games for the next decade.

Viewership for the league's games on ESPN are down nearly 30% year-over-year, while games on TNT are down roughly 3%.

This has led to a debate over the current state of the league, with fans, media and even players weighing in.

Here are the main reasons why people say the NBA's ratings are down:

1. Regular season games don't matter.

In the NFL, every regular season game matters, whether you are trying to make the playoffs or trying to tank for the first overall pick. There is no such things as a "mean nothing" game in the NFL, so each and every game is important to somebody.

In the NBA, this isn't the case. There are 82 games in the regular season. With the play-in games, more than 20 teams have a chance of making the postseason when the regular season games come to an end.

Does the January game between the New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets really matter? Would you make plans to watch the game on television?

2. Load management.

Star players will often take rest days throughout the course of the regular season in order to stay healthy for the playoffs. This creates a nightmare for the league, as people tune in to watch the best players in the world. If Steph Curry is being given a rest day while in the midst of an East Coast road trip, less people will tune in to watch the game.

3. Style of play.

Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors changed the league forever with their style of play.

Now, practically every team is heaving up dozens and dozens of three point attempts every game, which has resulted in high-scoring games and many blowouts.

Many people don't like this style of play. Instead of physicality and quick passes, we are getting teams that will simply dribble down the play and chuck up a three pointer. Some former players, such as Shaquille O'Neal, have stated that this style of play has resulted in the league losing fans.

4. Competition.

There are so many demands on our attention in this day and age. Every league has streaming packages available. A Monday night NBA game will have competition from the NFL, NHL and any number of other entertainment options. Competition is higher than ever, and many of the NBA's regular season games are not must-see viewing.

5. Stars.

LeBron James is nearly done with his career. The "Greek Freak" has been unhappy this season.

Who are the league's next batch of superstars who will be compelling, must-watch TV? Wemby and who else? Are players like Jokic and Doncic and Ball compelling viewing in the same way that LeBron James was?

Who are the players that are absolutely must-see TV in this day and age, the same way that Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and LeBron James were?

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The NBA has pointed the finger of blame at the Presidential election and World Series as the reasons why ratings are down but many fans that think something more sinister is afoot.