NBA ratings drop by 13%, Warriors take drastic 66% local hit after flop season

At NBA’s All-Star Break, NBA ratings were released involving 27 teams of tournament. Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors were t included. Sports Business Journal compiled NBA ratings data for 2019-20 season.

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NBA ratings 2019-20: NBA ratings face 13% fall, Warriors take drastic 66% local hit

According to compiled data, all 27 teams are down 13% on ir local regional sports networks (RSNs). Fourteen of se teams are experiencing declining viewership. This NBA ratings data is in line with or national data, where ESPN’s ratings have dropped by 10%, TNT’s by 13% and ABC’s by 16%. Overall ratings have seen a 12% drop.

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Golden State Warriors, who have been dominating ratings over past few years, have experienced a dramatic second-largest 66% decline in ratings on NBC Sports Bay Area. largest decline in league was by Denver Nuggets, whose ratings went down by 72% due to carri issues.

At local market, NBA team is even reaching a 4.00 rating. San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, LA Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics have a 3.00 rating. Both New York Knicks (0.85) and Brooklyn Nets (0.45) have a rating below 1.00. LA Clippers’ 86% rise to 0.97 on Fox Sports Prime Ticket is NBA’s highest growth in local market.

NBA ratings: Warriors NBA ratings take a dip due to Klay Thompson and Steph Curry's absence

According to NBA reports, Klay Thompson and Steph Curry being sidelined from NBA 2019-20 season have resulted in a massive drop in NBA ratings. Apart from NBA ratings, Warriors merchandise and tickets sales have also gone down. Steph Curry, who broke his hand four games into season, is likely to make his Warriors return in March.

Thompson is out for entire season due to an ACL injury. Warriors, who had made back-to-back finals appearances and won three championships with Thompson, Steph Curry and head coach Steve Kerr, are currently at bottom of NBA table. 

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According to reports, NBA ratings have been declining for some years. Last season, local ratings dropped by 4%, which erased local market’s 3% gain from NBA 2017-18 season. In NBA 2016-17, ratings declined 14%. Before that season, Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and Spurs had a minimum aver of 8.00. currently, only Spurs are over 3.00.

Reports also pointed at n seven teams were down by 40%, while only three teams were over 40%. If se teams improve ir ratings, NBA’s ratings will stabilize or increase. Recently, NBA All-Star 2020 games saw an 8% increase, especially in fourth quarter.

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