While the NBA has thrived in securing media rights deals in the billions, the 2024 Finals averaged just 11.31 million viewers, down 3% from last year.
The NBA Finals represent the pinnacle of the season, often attracting the highest viewership. Yet, the league has recently seen its ratings dwindle compared to the 1990s.
The Bulls teams of the 90s became synonymous with winning championships, as they won six titles in eight years. But they also dominate in terms of the ratings.
All six NBA titles for Chicago are among the most watched NBA Finals of all time. Three of their finals matchups earned over 25 million average American viewers, the only NBA team to ever achieve this feat.
The 1998 NBA Finals between the Bulls and the Jazz is the most watched NBA Finals of all time, earning an average of 29 million viewers.
Fans worldwide were anxious to see how the last Finals of Michael Jordan’s legendary career would end. But Utah was a strong opponent with only one game in the series decided by more than five points.
The dramatic, emotional game six remains the most watched NBA game in history, totalling 35.9 million viewers.
Second on the list with 27.2 million average viewers is the 1993 NBA Finals. Chicago matched up with the Suns in a battle against two friends off the court, Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan.
Even though Phoenix managed to win two road games in the series, they couldn’t overcome the Bulls at home in game six. Chicago won and completed their first of two three-peats.
The first NBA Finals matchup between Utah and Chicago in 1997 is third with 25.6 million average viewers. Finals MVP Michael Jordan led the defending champions in multiple categories over six games.
The Bulls won the series to extend their record in the Finals to 5-0.
The 2017 matchup between the Cavaliers and Warriors is the only NBA Finals among the most-watched to happen after the Bulls era ended in 1998. The series drew an average of 20.4 million viewers who watched Golden State capture the title.
Ranking The Most Watched NBA Finals Ever
Here is the list of the top 10 most-watched NBA Finals based on average U.S. viewership. The list was compiled using historical data from SportsMediaWatch.
- Updated: July 28, 2024
| Ranking | Year | Matchup | Results | Average U.S. Viewership |
| 1 | 1998 | Chicago Bulls vs Utah Jazz | Bulls in 6 | 29 million |
| 2 | 1993 | Chicago Bulls vs Phoenix Suns | Bulls in 6 | 27.2 million |
| 3 | 1997 | Chicago Bulls vs Utah Jazz | Bulls in 6 | 25.6 million |
| 4 | 1996 | Chicago Bulls vs Seattle Supersonics | Bulls in 6 | 24.9 million |
| 5 | 1987 | Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers | Lakers in 6 | 24.1 million |
| 6 | 1991 | Los Angeles Lakers vs Chicago Bulls | Bulls in 5 | 23.9 million |
| 7 | 1988 | Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons | Lakers in 7 | 21.7 million |
| 8 | 1989 | Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons | Pistons in 4 | 21.3 million |
| 9 | 1992 | Chicago Bulls vs Portland Trailblazers | Bulls in 6 | 20.8 million |
| 10 | 2017 | Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors | Warriors in 6 | 20.4 million |
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