Stephen A's Take: Players Listen up! The NBA All-star game ratings have fallen 3 years in a row.

Summary

Summary of "The Stephen A. Smith Show" Episode: Stephen A's Take: Players Listen Up! The NBA All-Star Game Ratings Have Fallen 3 Years in a Row.

Release Date: February 20, 2025
Host: Stephen A. Smith
Platform: iHeartPodcasts

---

Introduction

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves into the concerning trend of declining viewership for the NBA All-Star Game. Drawing from insights shared by Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports, Stephen A. provides his unfiltered analysis of the factors contributing to the dwindling ratings and explores potential solutions to reinvigorate interest in the event.

---

Decline in NBA All-Star Game Ratings

Ryan Glasspiegel reports a significant downturn in NBA All-Star Game viewership over the past three years. As of the latest season, the All-Star Game has garnered an average of 4.7 million viewers across TNT platforms, marking a 13% decrease compared to the previous year. This places the current All-Star Game as the second least-watched in NBA history, surpassed only by the 2023 edition, which attracted 4.6 million viewers.

Notable Quote:

"This is bad, ladies and gentlemen. This is not good."
— Ryan Glasspiegel [01:10]

Comparison with Other Television Events

The declining ratings are further highlighted when juxtaposed with other television events. Notably, NBC's Saturday Night Live's 50th Anniversary Special (SNL50) drew a staggering 14.8 million viewers, a 202% increase over its usual viewership. In contrast, the NBA All-Star Weekend struggled to surpass the 4.7 million viewers, with even the NHL's US vs. Canada Four Nations Faceoff approaching similar numbers, albeit slightly lower.

Notable Quote:

"Do you know what else beat them? NHL's Four nations face off match between the United States and Canada."
— Ryan Glasspiegel [03:20]

Reasons for the Decline

Stephen A. and Ryan explore several reasons behind the declining engagement:

1. Player Apathy: There's a growing perception that NBA stars are becoming entitled, primarily focused on personal gain rather than the game's promotion.

2. Lack of Effort: The diminishing effort from players during the All-Star festivities has led to a less engaging product for viewers.

3. Competition from Other Content: High-profile events like SNL50 have overshadowed traditional sports events, diverting potential viewership away from the NBA.

Notable Quote:

"We're talking about players who have been accused of being entitled and getting their bag and don't give a sh*t about the product."
— Ryan Glasspiegel [04:15]

Suggestions for Revitalizing the All-Star Weekend

To counteract the declining ratings, Stephen A. proposes innovative solutions aimed at renewing interest and excitement:

1. Nationwide Slam Dunk Contest: Introducing a nationwide competition to identify and showcase the best slam dunkers across the country. By offering substantial financial incentives (e.g., $1 million for first place), the contest could attract talented participants willing to invest effort for the prize.

2. Player Sponsorships: Encouraging NBA players to sponsor these dunkers, fostering a sense of competition and personal investment in the contestants' success.

3. Reimagining the All-Star Game: Considering the removal of the traditional All-Star Game format if player engagement does not improve, redirecting focus to more dynamic and viewer-friendly events.

Notable Quote:

"I believe there should be a nationwide slam dunk contest... a million dollars for the first prize, half a million dollars for the second prize, 100,000 for third place."
— Ryan Glasspiegel [05:10]

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Stephen A. emphasizing the need for the NBA to adapt and innovate to retain its audience. By addressing player engagement and introducing fresh, exciting elements to the All-Star Weekend, the league can reverse the trend of declining viewership and restore the event's prestige.

Final Notable Quote:

"Simply put, we could find better things to watch on television if [NBA players] are going to lollygag around and not give effort."
— Ryan Glasspiegel [06:00]

---

Key Takeaways

• Consistent Drop in Ratings: The NBA All-Star Game has seen a three-year decline in viewership, now averaging 4.7 million.

• Competition with Other Entertainment: High-profile events like SNL50 and competitive sports matches are drawing viewers away from the All-Star Weekend.

• Perception of Entitlement: NBA stars are perceived as prioritizing personal gain over contributing to the event's success.

• Innovative Solutions Needed: Proposals like a nationwide slam dunk contest and increased player involvement could rejuvenate interest.

---

This comprehensive analysis by Stephen A. Smith offers insightful commentary on the state of the NBA All-Star Game, underscoring the urgency for change to maintain the event's relevance and appeal.

Transcript

[Greg Rosenthal]

What's up everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Julie Swearbinks]

What's up everyone? Julie Swerbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Nate Thompson]

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

[Julie Swearbinks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[Julie Swearbinks]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Nate Thompson]

Julia's pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Julie Swearbinks]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and JSP on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Ryan Glasspiegel]

Headline from Front Office Sports Reports NBA All Star Game ratings second least watched ever, down 13% missseason showcase average 4.7 million viewers across TNT platforms, down 13% compared to last year, according to Front Office sports media and entertainment reporter Ryan Glass. Beagle is the second least watched NBA All Star Game, ahead only of the 2023 All Star Game, which drew 4.6 million viewers. The last three NBA All Star weekends have all averaged under 6 million viewers, the only three in NBA history that have not breached that threshold. This is bad, ladies and gentlemen. This is not good. It says the league also competed against SNL's 50. SNL 50, the special 50th anniversary episode of Saturday Night Live on NBC, which, by the way, owns the rights to NBA All Star Week. And starting next season, that drew 14.8 million viewers for SNL50, 202% more than its usual viewership this season, and obviously 14.8 million on NBC, yet only four points. You know, was it 4.7 million on TNT? Also, keep in mind, not only does SNL50 beat NBA all Star Weekend ratings, you know what else beat them? Do you know what else beat them? NHL's Four nations face off match between the United States and Canada. All right, they said was Drew 4.4 million viewers on ABC. So it almost beat them, didn't beat them, but it overshadowed them. Why is this so bad? It's so bad because we're talking about players who have been accused of being entitled and getting their bag and don't give a shit about the product. We're talking about stars that don't care. We're talking about effort. See, if it was anything other than effort, then a product is just a product and it is what it is. But when it's because of effort, there is no greater indictment than that. There's no greater indictment than that. And that's how we have to look at this. Anthony Edwards. Sick. Couldn't play. Got it. He came there feeling good, didn't feel good for the game. Understood LeBron James. A lot of people been getting on them because they don't believe. He just knew at the last minute, he knew he wasn't going to play, but he told the NBA league late because he wanted to inconvenience them. That's what people are saying. I don't know whether that's true or not. I'm going to. I'm not going to accuse LeBron James of that. I will say, however, I find it very hard to believe he didn't know until it was too late for them to bring somebody else to All Star Weekend. And when you consider some of the things that have transpired and some of the ways he's handled things over the years, it's going to be very interesting to see LeBron James, whether or not he's going to get to own an NBA team. It's going to be very interesting to see if the NBA is going to allow that to happen. Because you got a lot of people that are salty about him. I'm just letting you know what I know. Either way you slice it. You know what I believe? I believe one or two things should happen. I believe there should be a nationwide slam dunk contest. Me and a few sponsors and others who want to get in on the mix to make sure something like this happens. Go throughout the country and find the best. The 10 best slam dunkers in the country, and then bring them all to All Star Weekend. And when you bring them all to All Star Weekend, then what you do is you turn around and you say, you know what? A million dollars for the first prize, half a million dollars for the second prize, 100,000 for third place. We got people dying in the streets or less. You know what cats would do to put themselves in a position to win a million dollars? Half a million dollars. Hundred thousand dollars. You have any idea? And get the players to sponsor them. Yeah, you're an All Star. I got this guy, I got this guy. This who I'm supporting. I think he's going, I think he's going. I think he's going to win. That's how you do that. That way the players don't have to dunk themselves, they just sponsor dudes who do. It would be a good, good feel. You have a lot of people out there that have the potential. A lot of people who need the money, who could use the money. It would be beautiful to watch. And I promise you, as impressed as I was with Mac McClung, Mr. G League himself a three time champion, you'd have dudes that do an even better job than that. Outside of that, the All Star game itself, it wouldn't bother me at all if it was done away with. Yeah, they showed a little more effort this time, but the fact that all of that had to be done just to get you to show effort, bump it. Just name an All Star and let him go on vacation. Because clearly we could find better things to watch on television if God's gonna lollygag around and not give effort. That's all I'm saying.

[Greg Rosenthal]

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the king of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're gonna be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top one one, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Julie Swearbinks]

What's up, everyone? Julie Swearbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Nate Thompson]

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

[Julie Swearbinks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[Julie Swearbinks]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Nate Thompson]

Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Julie Swearbinks]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.