Heading into the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final, which both begin later this week, there has been much discussion about what the television ratings will be for the two sports finales, especially with small market teams being represented. For the NBA, the Indianapolis and Oklahoma City markets are not considered national draws for viewership. Meanwhile, the NHL features a rematch of last year’s Cup Final, including the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers.
Moreover, Meadowlark Media commentator David Samson spoke about the impending ratings that both finals will attract on Nothing Personal with David Samson, and believes the commentary about the ratings for both series will not matter.
“Here’s the thing, ratings don’t matter,” said Samson. “It’s great to talk about and write about. It gives you a talking point. It makes us do PR releases on ChatGPT with great spin. But do you think the NBA is healthy? Do you think their media is healthy? They’re starting deals next year in the billions.”
Additionally, Samson pointed out that for the NBA, the Finals ratings will not impact advertising rates that buyers pay, because those are paid ahead of time. Rather than focusing on the matchup or market size, Samson notes that the NBA should be more concerned with series length above all else.
“The reality is advertisers, when they’re doing business to do the NBA Finals, they’ve done the business before they know who’s in the finals,” noted Samson. “The make goods that happen are not because not enough people are watching. The make goods happen when there aren’t enough games. It’s why everyone in every league is always rooting for at least six games.”
Furthermore, the former Miami Marlins executive emphasized that the NHL situation is different due to the participation of a team based in Edmonton. Another key factor this year for the NHL is that the Stanley Cup Final will be featured on TNT Sports, as opposed to ESPN, which carried it last year.
“When Edmonton plays the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup rematch starting tomorrow, it is going to be the same issue. Where it will look as though there is not as much attention on the NHL,” explained Samson. “Then you’ll dig deeper and say, ‘Well, wait a minute, the Stanley Cup this year is on Warner Brothers/TNT. Last year was on Disney/ABC. Definitionally, more people will have watched Edmonton versus Florida last year than will watch it this year.”
Ultimately, in either case, Samson notes that the leagues are making money in the billions, and television ratings for the final series will not matter to the overall health of either league.
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