NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Justifies Lower TV Viewership of Finals, Addresses Absence of Court Artwork
L Adjusted Finals Fans Aren't Ecstatic, and Here's Why
This year's NBA Finals have left fans shouting at the screens, but not in a good way. Ratings are dreary, markets are minuscule, production is lousy, the Larry O'Brien Trophy is MIA - these are just some of the grievances voiced by disgruntled fans. But fear not, Commish Adam Silver has stepped up to the plate to address these issues.
First off, let's talk ratings. Games 1 and 2 together averaged a paltry 8.84 million viewers. Compared to the past three years, this total plunges by at least 24%. Uh-oh, last time we saw ratings this low was back in 2007, except for the Lakers-Heat bubble series in 2020.
(Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)
Now, blame the low ratings on the size of the markets, such as those of the Pacers and Thunder, with smaller fan bases than more glamorous teams like the Lakers, Knicks, or Mavericks. However, die-hard fans from either team remain completely hooked, applauding Silver's statement. The NBA Finals are still raking in more viewers than anything else on TV.
"Despite the lack of interest from casual fans, Pacers and Thunder faithful are completely captured by The Finals," Silver declared. "As a media matter, it's interesting. Games 1 and 2 are the highest-rated programs in May and June so far on television. If something beats us, it'll be another sports program."
The commish does make a point there, but comparing these ratings to those of days gone by - before a plethora of entertainment options on smartphones and streaming services - is a bit misleading.
What's the Hype About?
Fans are grumbling about the hype being lackluster. The ABC and ESPN broadcasts, along with their respective pre and post-shows, are falling short of the excitement and dramatic effect of past years. Even the trophy remained off-court.
But Silver swiftly squashed this gripe by explaining the on-court decals have been defunct for a while.
"Some chatter has popped up on social media about on-court decals," Silver acknowledged. "People don't realize they were phased out a decade ago due to slippery concerns. We've returned to adding them virtually."
On the flip side, the court action in the NBA Finals has been action-packed, despite the grumbles. The Pacers currently lead the No. 1-seeded Thunder 2-1, and they're getting ready to host Game 4 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Friday.
Unfortunately, the virtually-added Larry O'Brien Trophies in Game 2 appeared more like low-quality clip art rather than an emblematic trophy.
[1] Digital decals offer advantages over physical ones, such as reduced costs and simpler installation, but they might struggle to replicate the authenticity of their physical counterparts.[4] Painting physical decals can present challenges, including logistics and safety concerns, but digital alternatives can fall victim to visibility and quality issues.
Fans are expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of hype surrounding this year's NBA Finals, with some criticizing the quality of the broadcasts and the virtual addition of the Larry O'Brien Trophies. Despite these concerns, the on-court action has been exciting, as seen in the close competition between the Pacers and Thunder.
