Friday September 22, 2023
The Best Employers in Sports Survey is Now Open!

Nikola Jokić Drives Surging Serbian Viewership for the NBA

  • NBA League Pass viewership in Serbia has increased 66% year-over-year with subscriptions up 21%.
  • Native Serbian Nikola Jokić has driven more NBA social media video views than any other player in the past month.
Viewership for NBA League Pass in Serbia has increased 66% year-over-year.
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Front Office Sports Today

Could Promotion-Relegation work in College Football?

The proposal aims to create an exciting media product while reducing travel for non-football sports.
Listen Now
September 21, 2023 | Podcast
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić is drawing international eyeballs for the NBA in his home country of Serbia as the Nuggets battle the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. 

NBA League Pass, the league’s streaming service, has had a 66% surge in year-over-year viewership among fans based in Serbia and 21% jump in annual subscriptions, the league said Tuesday.

TV viewership on Arena Sport TV, the NBA’s broadcast partner in Serbia, has skyrocketed 50% year over year. Jokić, a two-time MVP from Sombor, Serbia, has become the NBA’s top player for social media video views over the past 30 days with 316 million views of his highlights across NBA social channels. 

U.S. viewership for this year’s NBA Finals on ABC and ESPN2 through two games has been about equal with last year’s Finals between the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors, quieting concerns of the mid-sized Denver and Miami TV markets creating any sizable ratings slump. 

The NBA will hope to replicate Jokić’s viewership effect on his hometown with its plethora of other international-born superstars, which next season will include French phenom Victor Wembanyama, the expected first-overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Draft later this month. Ticket sales for the Spurs have surged since they won the NBA Draft lottery.

Game 3 of the NBA Finals, which is tied 1-1, will be played tonight in Miami.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Fans can get free antennas from the Suns ahead of their shift to over-the-air TV broadcasts.

Suns Give Free Antennas to Fans Before Television Shift

The giveaway supports the Suns' shift to Gray's over-the-air channels.

NBA Cracks Down On Player Rest Ahead of Multi-Billion Dollar Rights Talks

NBA rest days will be regulated as league prepares for rights talks.

NBA Teams Could Be Fined Millions For Resting Stars

The league is reportedly cracking down on load management.

Max Will Use Free Sports To Lure New Streaming Subscribers

The streaming service is launching a sports tier this year.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Could Promotion-Relegation work in College Football?

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

Teams without secured venue situations could be left out of a potential XFL-USFL merger.

XFL-USFL Merger Could Drop Teams, Change League Name

Teams without secured venues could be cut from a XFL-USFL merger.
September 21, 2023

Rupert Murdoch's Exit Leaves Lasting Fox Sports Legacy

Rupert Murdoch steps down as chairman of Fox Corp. and News Corp.
Could ESPN lose events such as the NBA Finals if it sold ABC.
September 21, 2023

Selling ABC Poses Billion-Dollar Dilemma for Disney and ESPN's Future

Losing ABC would create complications as ESPN enters NBA rights negotiations.
Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs the ball against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks during the first half at Albertsons Stadium.
exclusive
September 20, 2023

The First Official Proposal for Promotion-Relegation In College Football

Realignment is forcing Group of 5 schools to rethink their structure.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago
Fanatics
New York
Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, Inc.
USA - Multiple Locations
LIV Golf flag pin

Saudi Prince Dismisses Sportswashing Claims Post Newcastle, LIV Golf

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is bullish on sports.
Spain women's national soccer team players celebrate with the World Cup trophy after their victory in the 2023 Women's World Cup.
September 20, 2023

Spain Women’s Soccer Players Agree to End National Team Boycott

The RFEF will make “immediate and profound” changes to its structure.
Spain's women's national soccer team says it will not play matches until federation president Rubiales is removed.
September 19, 2023

Fallout Deepens From Spanish Soccer Scandal

Unrest continues among WWC champion national team
Jerry Jones invited FIFA'a Gianni Infantino to Sunday's Cowboys-Jets game at AT&T Stadium as the venue vies for the 2026 World Cup Final.
September 18, 2023

Jerry Jones Courts FIFA President, Eyes World Cup Final at AT&T Stadium

Gianni Infantino visited AT&T Stadium, fueling 2026 World Cup Final speculation.
Players from Spain’s World Cup-winning team confirming their plans to miss upcoming national team matches.
September 15, 2023

Spain's Women's World Cup Winners Continue Boycott Amid Leadership Turmoil

Players will miss upcoming national team matches.
The IOC is expected to vote Friday on cricket's Olympic future.
September 5, 2023

IOC Reportedly Will Make Cricket a New Olympic Sport

Olympic cricket appears likely to debut at LA 2028.
September 1, 2023

Saudi Arabia Eyes European Support for 2034 World Cup Bid

Saudi Arabia's sports splurge includes its World Cup vision.
UAE sovereign wealth funds have reportedly shown interest in investing in an NBA team.
August 31, 2023

NBA Returns to UAE As Middle East Spreads Billions Across Sports

Neighboring Qatar has already invested in an NBA team.