Gilbert Arenas Blames High Costs For Declining NBA Viewership

Gilbert Arenas has weighed in on the declining NBA viewership, pointing to rising costs and complicated access as the primary reasons fans are tuning out. Speaking candidly about the issue on 'Gils Arena', he said:

"It's expensive to watch games now. They used to be free. So you gotta buy cable for your own teams, and then you have to buy League Pass to get the League Pass stuff."

"So you got to buy cable for your own teams, and then you've got to buy League Pass to get the League Pass stuff. So what ends up happening is the distribution of games now."

"And they're harder to find. That's the problem. We have to find it. It used to be available. The NBA, money-wise, perfect for you, but for the viewers, you're f***ed us."

The cost to watch NBA games today is steep. The NBA League Pass, a direct-to-consumer subscription service that provides access to live and on-demand games, recently increased its annual price to $109.99 for the standard version and $159.99 for the premium version. 

Yet, even with League Pass, fans encounter local blackout restrictions, meaning games of the local team cannot be streamed in the region. For instance, a Los Angeles Lakers fan living in L.A. cannot watch their team through League Pass and must instead rely on cable TV, which averages $60 or more per month.

To make matters worse, nationally televised games are also restricted to certain channels like ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV, forcing fans to subscribe to additional streaming platforms like SlingTV, Hulu+Live, or FuboTV. These fragmented viewing options leave many fans feeling priced out or overwhelmed by the logistical challenges of simply watching their favorite teams.

To add to the challenge, alternative platforms are no less expensive. Hulu Live TV costs $81.99 per year or $9.99 per month for its basic package. YouTube TV, one of the most popular streaming services, is priced at $72.99 per month. 

FuboTV, which offers sports-heavy content, costs $79.99 per month, while HBO Max, a platform carrying NBA games, adds an additional $9.99 per month to the tally. These fragmented viewing options force fans to juggle multiple subscriptions, significantly driving up costs.

The rise of illegal streaming, which does not contribute to TV ratings, further compounds the problem, as fans turn to unofficial sources due to the high costs.

Former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal has a different theory for declining viewership, citing the three-point revolution as a potential factor. Shaq argued, suggesting fans might be bored with the monotony of today’s game. While his perspective adds another dimension to the debate, Arenas’ analysis resonates more with fans who find the financial burden of following the league increasingly unsustainable.

Ultimately, the NBA faces a critical challenge. While its profitability continues to grow, the rising costs of viewing the game risk alienating the loyal fan base that fuels its success. 

To reverse the trend, the league might need to reassess its pricing models, eliminate blackout restrictions, and explore more affordable ways for fans to access games. Until then, the rising costs remain a significant barrier, as Arenas aptly pointed out, to enjoying the sport that millions love.