Subscribe

Log in

NBA vs. NHL Debate: Why It’s Completely Illogical!

Created on:

By: Mike

The NBA vs. NHL Argument Makes No Sense at All
© Red94 – NBA vs. NHL Debate: Why It’s Completely Illogical!

1. With the football season concluded and a noticeable lull in major sports events, there seems to be an uptick in speculative and often exaggerated sports commentary.

TubiTV Just Hit 200 Million Users – Here’s Why
10 Perfect-Score Shows Buried on Prime Video Right Now

As the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament attracts large viewership and positive reviews, contrasting sharply with the NBA’s All-Star Weekend which was widely criticized, comparisons between the two have become a popular topic of debate.

Despite this, it’s evident that the NHL still falls short of the NBA in both audience size and revenue. The ongoing discussions about the NBA’s issues and the supposed apathy of its players compared to those in the NHL are exaggerated and misplaced.

The $3.99 Streaming Service With 500+ Oscar Winners Nobody Knows About
Cancel These 3 Subscriptions Before November 1st – Here’s Why

Perhaps these comparisons arise because both leagues are winter sports with seemingly inconsequential regular seasons and playoffs that include a large portion of the teams. However, comparing the NBA’s and NHL’s success is akin to comparing apples and oranges.

In light of the NBA facing significant challenges regarding game quality and public perception, it’s important to note some facts.

The NHL has secured a seven-year television contract valued at $4.4 billion, whereas the NBA has recently inked deals with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon worth $76 billion over 11 years.

Thus, comparing $76 billion versus $4.4 billion.

And despite the NBA experiencing declines, the NHL has not suddenly become a ratings powerhouse:

NHL Finals ratings:

2024: 4.1
2023: 2.6
2022: 4.6
2021: 2.4
2020: 2.0
2019: 5.3
2018: 4.7
2017: 4.6
2016: 4.0
2015: 5.5

NBA Finals ratings:

2024: 11.3
2023: 11.6
2022: 12.4
2021: 9.9
2020: 7.4
2019: 15.1
2018: 17.5
2017: 20.3
2016: 20.2
2015: 19.9

For those who criticize the NBA’s regular-season ratings, it would be insightful to examine the NHL’s regular-season performance.

These figures highlight that although the NHL may have eclipsed the NBA during their respective All-Star breaks, this does not necessarily reflect the overall fan engagement with each sport.

2. In the earlier days of writing Hot Clicks for SI, I had the pleasure of interacting with Andy Isaac, known as @WorldofIsaac on X (formerly Twitter), through online exchanges as he often contributed links for the column.

With the advent of Twitter, Andy became a beloved character in the sports social media scene, known for his humor and affable nature. His choice of using Isaac from The Love Boat as his profile picture only added to his charm! Andy’s frequent tweets about food were particularly memorable in our interactions.

He serves as a fond reminder of the more innocent, enjoyable early days of Twitter—a stark contrast to its current state.

Tragically, Andy has been battling cancer since 2006, and a recent update he shared on social media was profoundly affecting for those who have followed his journey.

The peculiar nature of social media often makes it hard to grasp the reality that the people we interact with online are real, and their struggles are genuine. Andy’s message was a stark reminder of this, leaving a significant impact on those who know him. He mentioned the severe physical and emotional pain he’s enduring and the loss of his quality of life, which is heart-wrenching to hear.

Hopefully, Andy can find some solace during this challenging time and reflect on the joy he has brought to many with his online presence.

3. Shohei Ohtani humorously struggled with parallel parking at a Buffalo Wild Wings recently, reminiscent of a scene from Meadow Soprano.

4. I’m always in favor of celebrating big moments, and Georgia pitcher Brian Curley did just that after securing a victory against Kennesaw State. While some might argue it was over the top, I found it thoroughly enjoyable.

5. WWE announcer Michael Cole recently recounted an incident where he scolded Pat McAfee in public for wearing shorts, nearly causing McAfee to walk out on the broadcast he was scheduled to cover.

6. The latest episode of SI Media With Jimmy Traina features an interview with golf journalist Dan Rapaport. He discusses his new show, Dan on Golf, how the golf media landscape has evolved, the surge in golf’s popularity on YouTube, and the role of gambling in this growth.

Rapaport also addresses what needs improvement in the TGL, the dynamics between LIV and the PGA Tour, upcoming contract challenges for LIV, and shares an early prediction for the Masters. He also explains the recent turnaround in Bryson DeChambeau’s career and more.

Following Rapaport, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins the conversation for our weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment. This week’s discussion starts with a review of the Super Bowl halftime show and telecast, and the conclusion of the NFL season. Other topics include Hubie Brown’s final game as an NBA analyst, Dick Vitale’s return to broadcasting, Bill Maher’s comments on streaming NFL games, and a report about the Jets instructing Aaron Rodgers to cease appearances on Pat McAfee’s show. The conversation also revisits Sal’s much-discussed sneakers.

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.

7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: I’ve been deeply immersed in Saturday Night Live ever since their 50th anniversary special. This has led me to revisit a lot of Eddie Murphy’s classic performances on the show, which remind me just how brilliant he was.

Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify, or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on X and Instagram.

Similar posts:

Leave a Comment