POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
#1: Superteams in the NBA
Yes, I have covered this issue recently, but it’s a big one (Read: Are Superteams Bad for the NBA?). All-Star stacked rosters simply overpower “average” teams. Think back to the nearly unstoppable Warriors with Steph, KD, and Klay Thompson or the Heat with Lebron, Wade, and Bosh. The rise of the superteam age has sparked a ratings decline. I believe there should be a limit on how many All-Stars a team can have; I propose three All-Stars. A cap would potentially lessen the draw to major market teams and possibly even out the talent and appeal.
#2: NFL Tanking for Picks
The NFL’s “worst to first rule” is problematic. In a nutshell, the previous season’s biggest loser receives the coveted first overall pick in the upcoming draft. For instance, the Jacksonville Jaguars’s abysmal 2020 record EARNED them the first overall pick and future franchise QB Trevor Lawrence. On the other hand, the NBA uses a lottery system. The worst 14 teams are represented by ping-pong balls in a dispenser. The first ball out equals first pick, second ball equals second pick, and so on. With this method, the NBA combats tanking; the NFL should follow.
#3: MLB’s Length of Schedule
Traditionally, the MLB boasts long schedules. However, in my opinion, it is killing the sport. The NFL has a relatively short schedule and while the NBA’s schedule is lengthier, it is comparatively shorter to the MLB. Since 2009, the MLB’s ratings have nosedived, dropping far below the NFL and the NBA. All the while, baseball remains the most popular sport in American and world history. I believe I have a solution. The MLB should consider cutting the schedule to 50 games. Yes, it does sound crazy, but this could really help ratings and inject new life into the MLB.
1. Superteams – the NBA is ruled by egos. Superteams are short lived because while players like winning, they like even more being ‘the guy’ on their team. The biggest fish in the pond. Let the markets play out, just have some type of salary cap/revenue sharing to help even out the big and small markets.
2. Tanking – agree that a race to the bottom should not be incentivized. A race to mediocrity, like the NBA, is a pill I can swallow.
3. Don’t touch the sacred 162 game schedule. Want a shorter season? – have more double headers, less days off, play in the rain, etc. Shorter games – yes; shorter season – no. Baseball MUST start in the spring, grind through the summer and finish in the cold evenings of the fall. Just like life itself. Winter is the night and is for rest. Just ask the bears.
You are right about the NBA ego issue, we see that with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. The Browns tanked for years and are now a Super Bowl contender under Baker and Nick Chubb. I agree with you and the shorter games, and the bear metaphor pretty much describes the baseball season.
1. *eyeroll* Superteams are just one of the NBA’s major problems; the ratings are dropping because it’s not about basketball anymore. $, egos (Agree with Tommy), and politics.
2. Tanking sucks the life out of the players and fans. It’s a morale killer. Hard to respect a team/ownership that does it.
3. Hard to touch baseball and the nostalgia/camaraderie that comes with the sport. Personally, I only enjoy a live baseball game, so I don’t watch a lot of the MLB until the playoffs. Therefore, I don’t have a true opinion, but cutting a season by 2/3 will kill profits. Pro sports are moneymakers and teams wouldn’t be able to cover salaries, etc. I think you are going down the road that cutting the season will generate more urgency for the fans and more interest, but I don’t know if that’s the answer.
The NBA needs to focus on trying to solve their viewership problems instead of other issues. Baseball is kind of boring to watch on TV, and the live viewership experience is infinitely better.