I still believe the NBA would’ve surpassed the NHL because of availability of playing basketball but the NHL would be way bigger and be closer to the NBA than it is
7 comments
The NBA success is directly linked to social media. The average NBA fan is the most casual fan of any sport. So many NBA fans are highlight watchers and twitter fans. Large majority care about players, not teams- its unlike any other sports league. Bettmans trash, no doubt- but the nba’s success has a lot more to do with who it appeals too (casual- social fans) and less with the two league’s decisions- I remember a harris poll where they asked the respondents their favorite sport, and then their second favorite sport- MLB, NHL, AND NFL fans most common answer was obviously another one of the 4 majors, but NBA’s respondents MAJORITY answer was “not a fan of any other league”. That speaks so so so much volume to me. It appeals to causal sports fans who enjoy the culture of the sport more than the sport itself. NHL cannot market itself and the sport is not filled with instant gratification- it will always be a uphill battle in the younger demographics which also happens to be who consumes the most media.
Dumb take. Bettman has made owners rich. They love him. They wouldn’t change a thing.
I grew up in Houston and remember this issue and how much it pissed me off because it felt like the Rockets’ championship season was being ignored and their accomplishment disrespected. Might still have a copy back home in Houston.
Surely it wasn’t because the NBA’s best player and a global icon had “retired” during his prime.
Don’t forget that the NBA had, and still has, a significant issue in parity. It’s better than it was 30 years ago but it’s still bad.
In 1993 when Bettman took over, the Bulls had won 3 straight championships and would go on to win 3 more that decade.
The NBA has always been a league of dynasties and then everyone else.
I do believe it’s true that the NHL will likely always be the least popular sport of the big 4, because it’s the least accessible sport growing up.This is also a cycle that perpetuates itself where no one ever plays hockey growing up so no one ever provides a public rink (non-ice). Add in ice and it starts getting expensive for those not living near a deeply frozen pond, and now everyone has to have a pair of skates.
At the most basic level street hockey still entails every individual player owns a stick assuming they also have access to a net. Even baseball (tenni-ball) only requires 1 bat that everyone can share, and gloves are optional with the tennis ball. Football requires a ball and some open space, though can get a little tricky without yard-line markers. Basketball requires a ball, a hard surface, and a hoop. Soccer requires just the ball, some space (and a couple boundaries) and it’s the most popular sport in the world
The NBA is so player focused, and it’s done an excellent job at marketing those guys. The NHL has done that well at all.
7 comments
The NBA success is directly linked to social media. The average NBA fan is the most casual fan of any sport. So many NBA fans are highlight watchers and twitter fans. Large majority care about players, not teams- its unlike any other sports league. Bettmans trash, no doubt- but the nba’s success has a lot more to do with who it appeals too (casual- social fans) and less with the two league’s decisions- I remember a harris poll where they asked the respondents their favorite sport, and then their second favorite sport- MLB, NHL, AND NFL fans most common answer was obviously another one of the 4 majors, but NBA’s respondents MAJORITY answer was “not a fan of any other league”. That speaks so so so much volume to me. It appeals to causal sports fans who enjoy the culture of the sport more than the sport itself. NHL cannot market itself and the sport is not filled with instant gratification- it will always be a uphill battle in the younger demographics which also happens to be who consumes the most media.
Dumb take. Bettman has made owners rich. They love him. They wouldn’t change a thing.
I grew up in Houston and remember this issue and how much it pissed me off because it felt like the Rockets’ championship season was being ignored and their accomplishment disrespected. Might still have a copy back home in Houston.
Surely it wasn’t because the NBA’s best player and a global icon had “retired” during his prime.
Don’t forget that the NBA had, and still has, a significant issue in parity. It’s better than it was 30 years ago but it’s still bad.
In 1993 when Bettman took over, the Bulls had won 3 straight championships and would go on to win 3 more that decade.
The NBA has always been a league of dynasties and then everyone else.
I do believe it’s true that the NHL will likely always be the least popular sport of the big 4, because it’s the least accessible sport growing up.This is also a cycle that perpetuates itself where no one ever plays hockey growing up so no one ever provides a public rink (non-ice). Add in ice and it starts getting expensive for those not living near a deeply frozen pond, and now everyone has to have a pair of skates.
At the most basic level street hockey still entails every individual player owns a stick assuming they also have access to a net. Even baseball (tenni-ball) only requires 1 bat that everyone can share, and gloves are optional with the tennis ball. Football requires a ball and some open space, though can get a little tricky without yard-line markers. Basketball requires a ball, a hard surface, and a hoop. Soccer requires just the ball, some space (and a couple boundaries) and it’s the most popular sport in the world
The NBA is so player focused, and it’s done an excellent job at marketing those guys. The NHL has done that well at all.