NBA ratings drop? Kevin Durant says obsession over stats and analytics could be the reason

NBA viewership has seen a recent decline. While reports are unable to pinpoint a single reason for reduced ratings, Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant provided his inputs while interacting with a fan who tagged him on Twitter. Durant ded on reasons provided by fan, who believed drama and focus on big NBA stars could be one reason. 

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Kevin Durant gives his reasons for declining NBA ratings

As per various recent reports, NBA ratings have seen a major decrease since 2012. y ded that ratings also continue to fall with quality of content. This season, league faced low ratings despite some exciting matchups inside NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida. During an interview with Sports Illustrated, NBA commissioner am Silver also accepted drop in league's ratings. 

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A Twitter user quoted Athletic's Ethan Strauss' article on why NBA ratings have fallen, where y tagged Kevin Durant asking for his approval. y believed sportswriters' focus on drama and big NBA personalities over game is one reason and proceeded to tag Durant. two-time NBA champion replied to tweet, agreeing, while also ding points of his own. According to Durant, an "obsession over stats and analytics" is also a potent reason for low ratings.

Reports also d that over years, part of league that analyses statistics has developed an independent fanbase. fan furr responded to Durant's reply, saying that rar than "analytics by itself", "takes" coming from statistics matter to "casual audience". "Aggregated IG posts, player rankings, etc contribute to highlight culture, which lowers value of 48 min game," y explained. 

Why are NBA ratings low at NBA bubble?

While Orlando bubble concept has kept NBA players safe from COVID-19 pandemic, league is experiencing numbers lower than pre-COVID days in spite of higher stakes and exciting matchups. One reason suggested by reports has been lack of fans in arena, which has put a damper on usual electric atmosphere during games, especially during postseason. Microsoft Teams, to soften blow, have introduced virtual fans on board to cheer ir teams. 

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Before NBA playoffs began, Ethan Strauss spoke about league's low numbers and why it might be so. Ratings were alrey declining, with viewership having taken a 12 percent plunge since 2018-19 as per a Sports Busines Daily February report. ABC brocast ratings have dropped to 2.95 million viewers, an almost 50 percent drop from 2011-12's 5.42 million.

Strauss ded that TNT's aver viewership is also down to 40 percent since 2012. ESPN has been experiencing a 20 percent drop. This concerns league as NFL and MLB have seen a reported increase or stey viewership. Reports also discuss NBA's strong stand supporting Black Lives Matter movement being a reason for decline. With NBA playoffs going on, reports are predicting more number of views. 

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(Im credit: AP)