Is The NBA At Risk Of Losing Its Popularity?

Is The NBA at Risk?

For the longest time, the NBA was the envy of other sports leagues. The game was fast-paced, its stars were easily recognizable. (on and off the court). Through the years its popularity grew with the younger generation. Over the past 20+ years, basketball has grown substantially on the international markets. Star players no longer are just from the US. Today, many of the sport’s biggest stars have come from abroad. The sport of basketball has the potential to rival European soccer globally over the next couple of decades. 

What Makes The NBA At Risk?

So, if everything is looking so good for the NBA, why would I be questioning its popularity and why is the NBA at risk? It all started many years ago, San Antonio Spurs coach Greg Popovich started resting his veteran star players during the regular season. The idea was to keep his players as fresh as possible for when the playoffs started. Other teams noticed his strategy (and success) and started doing the same thing. The problem is the plan worked so well, that almost every team in title contention now is applying the same strategy.

This is not good if you’re an NBA fan or a TV executive. Most primetime, nationally telecast games always have one or two stars sitting out today. If you are a fan and can only afford to go to one game a year due to the high cost of tickets, parking, concessions, and your favorite players are not playing, but you can watch them jumping up and down cheering their teammates on the bench. Like many others, I would be pissed.  

As we know regular-season TV ratings have been down for the NBA for many years. I used to love watching the Saturday night primetime games, even when the match-up didn’t matter to me. Now, before I consider watching a game, I see who’s playing and who’s sitting out. Most times not bothering to watch the game at all.

What Must Be Done To Fix The NBA at Risk Problem

If the National Basketball League wants us to take the regular season seriously (with our money and viewership), they need to fix this problem. I think TV executives and sponsors should reduce their contract dollars to the NBA in the upcoming years. I’m not sure if that’s the solution, but I don’t think there will be any resolution until it hits the players and owners in their wallets. 

As I said earlier, the league and sport have an opportunity to continue growing like no other, but their short-term views could put all that momentum in jeopardy and place the NBA at risk.