NBA Ratings Seeing a Decline: Coach Rick Pitino Weighs In
It’s no secret that the NBA ratings have taken a hit in recent years. With top stars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant nearing the end of their careers, and young players like Anthony Edwards, Zion Williamson, and Ja Morant still trying to capture the attention of a broader fan base, it’s no wonder the league is struggling to attract a bigger audience.
St. John’s Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino, a former head coach of the Boston Celtics, weighed in on the issue in a recent post on X. He suggested that the solution to the NBA’s rating woes is simple: bring back hand checking and more physicality. “The players are too strong, too quick, and have become amazing shooters,” he wrote.
The debate over what’s causing the decline in NBA ratings is ongoing, with theories ranging from the increase in 3-point shooting to stars deciding against playing on back-to-back nights, and fans’ interests shifting to other entertainment options during the regular season.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver seems to agree that fan interest is shifting away from traditional television and towards streaming services. “We’re almost at the inflection point where people are watching more programming on streaming than they are in traditional television,” he said. “And it’s a reason why for our new television deals, which will enter into next year, every game is going to be available on a streaming service.”
Silver also noted that the shift to streaming will allow the league to offer new features and functionalities that aren’t possible on traditional TV, such as additional screens and options for viewers to engage with the game.
As the NBA looks to adapt to the changing media landscape, it’s clear that there’s no easy solution to the ratings decline. However, with the league’s willingness to innovate and adapt, there’s hope that the game can once again capture the attention of a broader audience.
