Why does the NBA consistently have poor viewer ratings?

Question

Does the sport need a major overhaul, or just a new governing body. What happened to the interest in the NBA? It seems like since Michael Jordan retired most folks don't watch or care about the sport. College ball on the other hand remains a huge draw. Your opinions please!

Answer 1

My guess is that the sport is simply in a bit of a down phase in terms of popularity -- a slight one, but it is present nevertheless. Shaq had been hurt a lot, Koby's image has been tarnished (and he's not on a great team any more), Tim Duncan isn't particularly charismatic (but a heck of a player), and the young guns haven't developed a big game reputation yet. Certainly LeBron has a chance to change that last part at least, and maybe he, Carmelo and D-Wade will come along.

It also might be worth noting that the NBA features something of a hip-hop culture, playhing before audiences that are mostly white. Is that affecting ratings? You'd certainly hope not, but it's fair to at least ask the question.

The college game is always going to have drama on its side because of the single elimination format in the NCAA tournament. (I wouldn't overlook bracket pools, either.) The best-of-seven playoff merely has much better players, although perhaps the casual fan doesn't notice it.

Answer 2

It's all about Marketing. The NFL does the best. They have it all down to a science. From Draft Day to the Super Bowl, we don't miss a beat and we (the fans/public) thirst for more. Wait, b4 the Draft, we watch the combines, the position challenges (heck, I watched the 3 best college kickers compete in a game of who could kick the most FG and the furthest. With the NBA, they just miss the boat. The lottery draft sucks, they keep changing the rules with it, now there are Lottery balls like bingo yet just years ago there was a tumbler with team names on cards....but then the Knicks got Patrick Ewing on the "bent card" theory. Now, they try and put the numbers in so statistically the Celtics get 1st pick and instead it goes to Supersonics and then Trailblazers with Celtics 5th. JUST GIVE CELTICS #1. The only marketing they have ever known is MJ and who is the next MJ? B4 MJ, there wasnt much, they relied on the sport Bird and Johnson. Then MJ, blew open the NBA and Nike. Now, it's who is next MJ? We don't hear, "who is the next Montana?" NO, NFL doesnt play that way. Then the NBA comes up with dress codes as John Stossel would say "Give me a break." I also think the NBA and MLB seasons are tooooooo long. ALSO, quit changing the game and the play off schemes. Now, every round is best of 7, geesh. All games, back to best of 3 and be done. Or put them in Group A, B,C,D and play rounds like soccer with the qualifiers going to a 1 game elimination playoff. I only glance at the playoffs until one team has 3 wins, then I am into it. Also, I don't know it seems as though the THUGS play basketball and (excluding Bengals and Vick) good guys play football. could I go on about the NBA... I think thats all for now. Hit MLB one time.... they are now doing drafts on TV... of course we won't see but 10% of those players ever step on an MLB field as most will muddle in teh minor leagues. season tooooo long too

Answer 3

i think it's because teams just aren't as good as they used to be due to the salary cap.their aren't any great rivalries anymore like their used to be.i also like the college game better too.they seem to play much hungrier than the pro's of today and it's more of a team game,plus the ncaa tourney is 1 and done so that's exciting.the nba game today lacks the fundamentals it used to and the overrall star players on each team.unfortunately it's more about the money for the nba guys than its ever been.