NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said that he understands the criticism about the league’s very public stance on social justice. Silver told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols that those messages will “largely be displayed off the court” next season.
Silver made the remarks before Game 4 of the NBA Finals in Florida. “My sense is there’ll be somewhat a return to normalcy,” he said referring to the overall look of the league and how players wear their jerseys.
For whatever reason, the league’s ratings have plummeted. Game 1 between the Lakers and Miami Heat posted the worst viewership of any Finals game in NBA history with just 7.41 million viewers, a 45% free fall compared to last year’s Game 1 between the Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors.
Nichols did not press Silver on exactly why social justice messages would not be delivered on the court like they are now, but the commissioner did acknowledge that there’s a time and place for advocacy to occur.
“I understand those people who are saying ‘I’m on your side, but I want to watch a basketball game,'” said Silver.
Game 3 of the NBA Finals averaged a 3.1 rating and 5.94 million viewers. Those numbers made Game 3 the least watched and lowest rated NBA Finals game on record.
