Aussie basketball players becoming ‘cultural icons’ as NBA viewing numbers swell for ESPN
The power of celebrity, coupled with the impact of Australians starring in the international sporting arena, has helped ESPN record its highest ever viewing figures outside of the Superbowl, with more than 90,000 tuning in for game two of the NBA basketball finals.
The sports network described basketball as hitting a “cultural zeitgeist” in Australia, with its marketing focus on Aussies Matthew Dellavedova and Andrew Bogut helping swell interest in the sport.
Game two of the best-of-seven NBA final between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, which aired live on Monday – a public holiday – drew an average of 93,000 viewers between 10am and 1.20pm, 24,000 more than the previous NBA record set in 2011.
Go Dubs!
Super Bowl is always two words.
The energy and athleticism of NBA and it’s stars makes AFL and NRL look as exciting a seniors lawn bowls.
Basketball will dominate them both in the near future
AFL has some pretty incredible highlights though. Those guys jump higher than a lot of NBA players.
Anyway, go Dellavedova!