Colin Cowherd recently drew a provocative parallel between the NBA’s declining ratings and the struggles of the Democratic Party in the 2024 presidential election. Speaking on The Herd, Cowherd emphasized how disconnecting from everyday people can lead to significant fallout, whether in sports or politics.
“I think Roger Goodell has navigated a multitude of cultural changes, that CTE issue, that was bad, and overlooked for a long time by a previous commissioner or two.”
“And here he’s made the PAT interesting, he tinkers, he evolves, and the NBA, meanwhile, ratings are down 48% in the last 12 years, and they have fallen off a cliff this year and Adam Silver’s solution is let’s make the courts brighter.”
“And I like the NBA but the All-Star game is now embarrassing and I think load management is a shame on the league. It is a really bad look for a family of four to go to a game and Giannis doesn’t play or Embiid doesn’t play.”
“I’m sorry. Go ask the Democrats. Be warned. Once you detach from regular people in America, you will pay a price. And it is not easy to run these leagues.”
“But in the end, Rob Manfred has television networks going to him saying, we’re not gonna renew, including this one. Make the game faster. He did. Stars got more at bats. They got rid of the defensive shift and Fox got great ratings. So my take is nobody likes any president. They don’t like Trudeau in Canada. They don’t like whoever’s in the office here. Nobody likes anybody. And commissioners get nothing but crap.”
Cowherd highlighted the NBA’s alarming viewership trends. Ratings have dropped a staggering 48% since 2012, and this season’s numbers show further decline. TNT games average 1.8 million viewers, while ESPN’s ratings are down 28% from last year, sitting at 1.77 million viewers per game. Even high-profile initiatives like the NBA Cup have failed to captivate audiences, with viewership for the tournament dropping 10% compared to its inaugural season.
Four of the five lowest-rated Finals in the past 30 years have occurred in the last four seasons, including the 2024 Finals, which averaged only 11.64 million viewers—a far cry from the league’s golden years.
Cowherd’s critique underscores the urgent need for the NBA to reconnect with its fan base. Addressing issues like load management, rethinking how stars are marketed, and making the regular season more engaging could be critical steps. As Cowherd pointed out, maintaining the league’s relevance requires innovation that resonates with fans—not just cosmetic changes.
The NBA’s ratings slump is more than just numbers; it’s a wake-up call for a league at risk of losing its place in the hearts of everyday sports fans.
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