• Loading stock data...
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

Dončić’s Dallas Return Delivers Top ESPN Game of the Season

Luka Dončić’s first game back in Dallas since being traded to the Lakers in February drew 2.26 million viewers on ESPN, falling short of the teams’ February matchup on TNT.

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

In a season marred by criticisms of declining ratings, the NBA is finishing strong on the back of the aftermath of the Luka Dončić trade.

Dončić’s first game back in Dallas drew 2.26 million viewers Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the most-watched non-Christmas Day game of the season on ESPN, the network announced Thursday. While it was one of the most-watched games of the season on cable, it did not rate as high as the Feb. 25 game between the same two teams which drew 2.5 million viewers on TNT. That game was played in Los Angeles just three weeks after the 26-year-old star was traded by the Mavericks to the Lakers

The NBA’s full-season viewership is down 2% compared to last year, a stark improvement from the double-digit declines the league was facing earlier in the year. ESPN platforms were even compared to last year, though driven by ABC viewership. As consumers continue to cut the cord on cable, viewership has dipped on games broadcast on ESPN and TNT

“I’m happy with where they’re trending now,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said last month at a press conference. He cited the World Series and U.S. presidential election as reasons for the early-season decline. “In this environment, particularly when you’re largely featured in legacy media and particularly cable—and no question cable subscriptions are going down—that seems like a victory.”

Down in Dallas

While the Dončić trade has certainly created positive business for the NBA, the same can’t be said for the Mavericks. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported Wednesday that the team’s decision to trade the Slovenian will cost the franchise “nine figures over the next several years.” The losses will come from declining ticket and merchandise sales, as well as the loss of corporate sponsors.

MacMahon also reported the Mavericks had some sponsorship deals prepared with brands Dončić endorses that did not push through after the star’s camp pointed out he no longer plays for Dallas. 

The team also issued refunds to season-ticket holders as many canceled their plans after the trade. Fans at the American Airlines Center expressed their anger toward general manager Nico Harrison on Wednesday by chanting “Fire Nico!” throughout the game.

Despite the backlash, the Mavericks still paid tribute to Dončić by giving each fan a T-shirt that read “Hvala za vse” (“Thanks for everything” in Slovenian). They also played a three-minute tribute video for their former star during starting lineup intros that brought Dončić to tears.

Dončić returned the favor by dropping 45 points, his highest point total since joining the Lakers, in a 112–97 Los Angeles win.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman, Rob Dauster to Lead On3’s College Hoops..

Goodman previously worked for ESPN, CBS Sports, and Stadium.

FanDuel, Jaguars Reach $5M Deal Over Employee Theft

A Jaguars employee stole $20 million and gambled much of it with FanDuel.
Sep 11, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) dribbles past Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun (13) in the second half at Target Center.

As WNBA Grows, Engelbert Says Its Playoff Field Won’t for a While

Eight of thirteen WNBA teams made the playoffs this year.
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) pursues Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.

College Football Enters Week 3 Up 21% in TV Ratings

Total college football viewership across all networks is up big.

Featured Today

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.

YouTube’s Revised NFL Game Rating Still Has Fox, ESPN Execs Upset 

Adjusted viewership metrics from the streamer reignited debate about the game.
opinion
September 12, 2025

19 Rising Stars in Sports Media

Who are sports media’s rising stars? Here’s an inside look.
Mark Sanchez
September 12, 2025

Mark Sanchez On Fox ‘Rearview’ Show, Caleb Williams’s Slow Start

Sanchez spoke to FOS about his new Fox digital show.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 11, 2025

Paramount-WBD Merger Would Create Sports Superpower

The companies’ combined sports offerings would rival ESPN.
People congregate at Turning Point Headquarters in Phoenix after news that the founder, Charlie Kirk, was shot and killed at a rally in Utah on Sept. 10, 2025.
September 11, 2025

Panthers Staffer, Suns Reporter Fired for Charlie Kirk Posts

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in Utah on Wednesday.
exclusive
September 10, 2025

FanDuel TV Renews Michelle Beadle’s ‘Run It Back’

‘Run It Back’ will return for a fourth season.
September 10, 2025

Amazon’s $1B NFL Package Now Has Wider Flex Game Options

“TNF” ratings rose 13% to 13.2 million viewers per game last season.