It’s no secret that NBA ratings have plummeted during tough times.
Top stars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant are at the end of their future Hall of Fame careers, and rising young players like Anthony Edwards, Zion Williamson and Ja Morant have yet to capture the passionate attention of a broader basketball audience.
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St. John’s Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino shouts instructions during the first half against the Bryant University Bulldogs at Carnesecca Arena on December 11, 2024 in Queens, New York. (Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)
Rick Pitino, the current St. John’s men’s basketball coach and former head coach of the Boston Celticscommented on how audience ratings could be increased.
“It has been reported that NBA ratings are down 28% this year alone,” he wrote in a post on X on Wednesday. “Suggestion: Bring backhand control and more physicality. The players are too strong, too fast and have developed into great shooters.”
Everyone and their mother seems to have an idea as to why the game hasn’t generated as much interest as it once did. The increase in 3-point shooting, stars’ decisions not to play on consecutive nights and fan interest in other venues during the regular season were cited as potential factors.
St. John’s Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino at Carnesecca Arena on November 30, 2024 in Queens, New York. (Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)
NBA commissioner Adam Silver seemed to agree with the latter.
“We’re almost at the tipping point where people are watching more shows on streaming than on traditional TV,” Silver said The athlete. “And that’s one reason why, with our new television deals coming next year, every game will be available on a streaming service.”
“And if we move to the streaming service, apart from how the actual game is played on site, from a production standpoint we can do all sorts of things that you can’t do with traditional television. All kinds of new functionality, all kinds of new options and screens that are available.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver arrives before the WNBA All Star Game at the Footprint Center on July 20, 2024 in Phoenix. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
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“The vast majority of people consume us through media and not in person. So we have to be very careful.”
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