Part 5/7:
The numbers tell a troubling story. Currently, the NBA averages a mere 1.4 million views per game across its main platforms, which is barely ahead of the WNBA's average of 1.2 million views per game. This dramatic shift in audience interest raises immediate questions about the viability and future of the NBA as a premier sports league.
Despite the NBA’s efforts to enhance offense by removing restrictions like hand-checking, the defensive tenacity that once characterized the game has dwindled. Scoring averages today hover around 114 points per game, a significant increase from the mid-90s despite lower overall viewership numbers.