• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, April 23, 2025

NBA Cup Opener Sees Big Ratings Boost As Star Power Dominates

The Emirates NBA Cup’s debut games saw a 71% total viewership increase versus comparable games from last year.

Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

A week after Steph Curry boosted NBA viewership, his former Splash Brother’s return to Golden State provided another huge ratings bump.

Night 1 of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup, the second iteration of the league’s in-season tournament, drew an average of 1.93 million viewers Tuesday on TNT, up 71% versus last year’s comparable doubleheader. 

The nightcap—which featured Mavericks wing Klay Thompson’s first game back in the Bay Area against Curry and the Warriors since a sign-and-trade in July—averaged 2.14 million viewers, an 84% increase from last year’s second game between the Clippers and then-defending champion Nuggets.

The first game of Tuesday’s slate featured the Knicks and Sixers, in what served as the season debut for 2023 MVP Joel Embiid, who returned from injury and a three-game suspension. The game drew 1.71 million viewers, 58% more than last year’s Spurs vs. Thunder matchup.

The start of the NBA Cup added intrigue to Tuesday’s matchups, together with the flashy, albeit polarizing, court designs, but the viewership increase once again shows that stars and storylines drive ratings for the league. Curry’s season debut last week against the Celtics on ESPN averaged 2.14 million viewers—the most since the opening week of games.

Before two positive ratings days featuring the Warriors, NBA viewership had dipped to start the year. Most games in the first two weeks saw double-digit percentage declines in viewership.

So far this season, TNT’s average viewership is at 1.8 million, a 3% decline compared to this point last year. ESPN has averaged just 1.31 million viewers through its first 12 games, down about 28% from 1.8 million last year.

The next slate of nationally televised NBA Cup games will be Friday on ESPN, with LeBron James and the Lakers visiting Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, followed by the Grizzlies facing the Warriors.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Anthony Edwards

Anthony Edwards Increases Fine Lead With ‘Bigger Than Yours’ Taunt

The Timberwolves star has led the NBA in fine money this year. 

Masters Champ McIlroy Set to Draw Big Crowds (Again) at Zurich Classic

The Zurich Classic is expecting to break its attendance record.

NBA Playoffs Deliver Most-Watched Opening Weekend in 25 Years

It was the most-watched opening weekend on ESPN platforms.
Shannon Sharpe

Shannon Sharpe Offered Accuser ‘At Least’ $10 Million to Settle

The sides are now tussling over the existence of a video.

Featured Today

Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.
Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Paige Bueckers is interviewed by ESPN after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards
April 21, 2025

ESPN’s WNBA Coverage Mirrors the League’s Stunning Growth

“I don’t think we stand still in our coverage of women’s sports,” says Rowe.
Mar 16, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with guard Isaiah Joe (11) after score in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.
April 20, 2025

Unorthodox OKC: The Thunder Redefined Tanking to Become NBA’s Best

A rebuild years in the making has OKC in the driver’s seat.
Mar 13, 2020; Augusta, GA, USA; The front entrance at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Friday morning. The Masters Tournament has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns.
opinion
April 20, 2025

What’s It Like to Play Augusta? A Day on the World’s Most..

Inside a round at the most exclusive club in the world.
Shannon Sharpe

Shannon Sharpe Accused of Rape in Civil Lawsuit

The case was filed by an anonymous woman in Nevada.
Lee Corso
April 17, 2025

Lee Corso Will Retire From ESPN at 90

The broadcaster is hanging up his headgear in August.
Netflix
April 17, 2025

Netflix Rises While Markets Slide—Thanks in Part to Live Sports

The streaming giant beats financial expectations as its sports presence grows.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

This week, Two-time Super Bowl Champion and CBS NFL analyst Logan Ryan joins us to talk the business of sports on our third installment of Portfolio Players.
April 15, 2025

WNBA Draft Draws 1.25M Viewers, Second-Best Behind 2.45M Last Year

Paige Bueckers was the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft.
April 15, 2025

NBA Regular-Season Ratings Dip 2%, In Line With the NFL

The NFL also saw a 2% viewership decline last season.
April 14, 2025

Masters Final Round Draws 12.7M Viewers, Golf’s Best Since 2018

The final round was the most-watched golf event in seven years.
April 14, 2025

NBA Play-In Tourney Gets Warriors Boost Before Move to Streaming

The Play-In Tournament will stream on Amazon Prime Video starting next season.