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1. One of my biggest frustrations in sports (and believe me, there are many) is when people draw comparisons between the NFL and other sports.
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Three primary reasons fuel my irritation.
Firstly, the nation’s overwhelming passion for the NFL is undeniable. Countless individuals dedicate every Sunday during autumn and winter exclusively to watching NFL games.
Secondly, the NFL is unparalleled in terms of betting and fantasy sports. The amount of money wagered on NFL games far surpasses that of other sports, providing the league with a distinct advantage.
Thirdly, the major reason for the NFL’s unique position is straightforward: the league features a 17-game regular season. Every match is crucial and influential.
This stands in stark contrast to the regular seasons of the NBA, NHL, and MLB.
I mention all this because with the Pacers and Thunder gearing up for tonight’s NBA Finals, much has been discussed regarding the ratings challenges ABC/ESPN faces with these smaller-market teams.
Realistically, NBA enthusiasts should focus on enjoying the Finals rather than the ratings, even though the odds are heavily in favor of OKC at -750, but that’s beside the point.
Nonetheless, sports is inherently a business, and ratings are a significant part of that business, making any potential low viewership figures for the Finals noteworthy.
It’s expected that NBA commissioner Adam Silver would always promote his league and put a positive spin on anything concerning the Finals.
However, drawing a parallel between the OKC-Indiana matchup and the Super Bowl is completely illogical.
“If we were going into a Super Bowl with Packers vs. Steelers, you guys would be celebrating that,” Silver remarked last Wednesday.
It’s completely misguided to compare two iconic NFL teams known nationwide to smaller-market teams like the Thunder and Pacers.
A more apt comparison would have been between less popular teams like the Jaguars and Panthers.
Even then, roughly 100 million people would watch a Super Bowl featuring Jacksonville vs. Carolina, because Super Bowl Sunday is an unofficial national holiday, unlike a potential seven-game NBA series that could extend over several weeks. Thus, Silver’s comparison doesn’t hold water right from the start.
Here’s another reason why comparing the NBA to the NFL doesn’t make sense. Do you realize how many people watch the Super Bowl who aren’t necessarily NFL fans? A lot.
A typical high-profile NFL game on a Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET draws around 25 million viewers on Fox or CBS. Conversely, the Super Bowl attracts over 100 million viewers, meaning that 75 million people watch it for reasons unrelated to the sport—like the halftime show, commercials, or social gatherings. This level of casual viewership doesn’t happen with NBA games, where no one would tune in to a Thunder-Pacers match unless they were already interested in basketball (unless it were the thrilling last minutes of a Game 7).
You might attract a few more casual viewers if the Finals featured teams like the Knicks and Lakers due to their large market sizes and star appeal. That’s why a matchup like OKC vs. Indiana is seen as less than ideal from a business standpoint.
Silver likely understands all this and his comments were probably an attempt to positively spin the situation. However, as soon as you start comparing your sport to the NFL, your argument loses credibility.
2. A fresh episode of SI Media With Jimmy Traina was released Thursday morning, featuring a conversation with ABC/ESPN’s Richard Jefferson, who is preparing for his first NBA Finals broadcast alongside Mike Breen and Doris Burke.
Jefferson shares his thoughts on whether he feels nervous about broadcasting his first Finals, his current contract status with ESPN, how his commentary style has evolved since he became a lead analyst, and the Pacers’ chances against the Thunder.
Additionally, Jefferson discusses his personal habits, the recent controversy involving LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith, the NBA’s replay system, his online interactions with Bill Simmons, why he enjoys calling one-sided games, the speculation around the NBA being rigged, his experiences working with Ian Eagle, ESPN’s insistence on him dressing more formally, and much more.
You can listen to the SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast below or on platforms like Apple and Spotify.
You can also watch SI Media With Jimmy Traina on Sports Illustrated’s YouTube channel.
3. Jefferson will be seated next to the legendary Mike Breen, who is set to call his 20th consecutive NBA Finals. It’s a remarkable achievement for the celebrated play-by-play announcer.
4. There was a bit of controversy at SiriusXM on Wednesday.
The company announced that Stephen A. Smith would be taking over the 1 p.m. ET to 3 p.m. ET slot on the Mad Dog Unleashed channel starting on Sept. 2. The current hosts, Michelle Beadle and Cody Decker, who broadcast from noon ET to 3 p.m. ET, were not informed about this change in advance.
Understandably, they were quite upset when they found out just a few hours before their show was due to air.
Later that evening, Smith phoned into a program on Mad Dog Unleashed to clarify that he had no role in the decision-making process.
If you’re just a spectator of sports media, it’s hard to argue against Smith’s popularity and prominence compared to Beadle and Decker. Hence, it’s understandable why SiriusXM would make such a move.
However, it’s utterly baffling that SiriusXM failed to extend the basic courtesy of informing Beadle and Decker that they were being replaced, especially given that they were about to go live on air.
5. The most amusing story in sports media currently is the revelation by the comical BizNasty that he has developed gout from his habit of consuming two steaks daily.
“I’ve gotten g
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Mike Johnson is a passionate news writer with a keen interest in current events. With over a decade of experience in journalism, he has a talent for uncovering the stories that matter most. Mike’s insightful articles and in-depth analyses have made him a trusted voice in the industry. He thrives on staying ahead of the news curve, providing readers with timely and relevant information. Whether it’s breaking news, politics, or social issues, Mike’s dedication to the craft ensures that his readers are always well-informed.
