I’m sure you’ve heard all the news about the epic battle going on between the NBA and the NFL – two sports juggernauts vying to be the top dog when it comes to ratings and viewership. As a fan of both sports, it’s tough to pick a side and root for one over the other. But today, I want to tackle the tough question- does the NBA get more views than the NFL?
My gut says yes, and here’s why. The NBA, with its sparkling superstars, flashy style of play, and modern approach to basketball have made it the perfect game for the current generation of fans. The hype over a LeBron James slam dunk or Steph Curry three pointer is like nothing we’ve ever seen before – and it translates into appetite for the league that the NFL can’t quite match.
Plus, the NBA often gets more airtime than the NFL – think prime time games and artificially-extended deadlines for trades and free agency. This gives the NBA more access to viewers, and a higher likelihood of capturing their attention.
Not to mention, the NBA just feels fresher. The NFL, while still popular, has been around longer and has failed to change with the times. The NBA has managed to stay ahead of the curve – with new technologies like augmented reality allowing for more expansive game coverage than ever before.
But don’t start the celebration just yet. There is still a lot that the NFL can do to compete with the NBA, and some of the most successful efforts have come outside of the world of sports. The NFL’s savvy use of social media creates a “buzz” around games that the NBA can’t match. Also, the NFL’s strong relationships with advertisers and content providers have given them a larger share of viewers still.
At the end of the day, it’s up in the air which sports league will take the top spot in terms of viewership, but it’s certain that the NBA is not backing down.
Now, when talking about non-stop off-season action, the NBA is unmatched. Every year it seems that the teams are able to create a wave of excitement for fans leading up to the start of a new season. From blockbuster trades to outrageous free agent signings, the NBA definitely knows how to keep us guessing.
With the NBA’s fast-paced, high-flying style of play, you can never get bored watching a game on TNT or your local sports station. It’s easy to see why the ratings for NBA games have been on the rise over the past few years.
On the other hand, the NFL seems to take a more traditional approach to their product. The majority of games take place on Sundays and feature two teams that, frankly, often look very similar on paper. It doesn’t help that many of the marquee matchups take place in what feels like a league whose prime has come and gone.
What’s more, the NFL’s off-season is a much slower process. Sure, there are free agents and draft prospects to talk about, but it’s not quite on the same scale or level of excitement as the NBA. It sometimes makes you wonder why people still tune in after all these years.
And that’s not even factoring in the summer season. The NBA enjoys a much bigger slice of the pie when it comes to offseason attention. With the NBA Draft, Summer League and numerous other events taking place, you will usually find NBA fans glued to their TVs even when the regular season is on hiatus.
In conclusion, it’s hard to put a definitive answer on this one. The NBA and the NFL both bring plenty to the table and it’s up to the individual fan to decide who they prefer. But from where I’m standing, the NBA might just edge out the NFL in terms of viewership.