The WNBA’s All-Star event not showcased the league’s top talent but also made a significant impact on its viewership. Studded with stars from NBA and WNBA in the Las Vegas arena, the event was given a prime-time slot on ABC for the first time. Festivities resulted in a remarkable 16% surge in viewership, making the 2023 edition the most-watched WNBA edition in 16 years. The electrifying action reached its pinnacle with a peak viewership of 955,000. These numbers reflect the growing popularity of women’s basketball.
The first half of the WNBA season saw a remarkable 18% rise in viewership on ESPN. It drew an average of 546,000 passionate fans per game. However, as with any renowned spectacle, there’s always a mix of positive and negative reactions from the audience. Amidst this blend, one gesture stood out for the masses.
Youtuber gets banned from NBA and WNBA for mocking
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JiDion, the YouTube prankster, recently got banned from all NBA-related events. This came after multiple incidents where he attempted to troll the WNBA. During an Atlanta Dream game, Jidon Adams appeared in the front row pretending to sleep. He proceeded then to upload the prank video on his social handles.
JiDion has been banned indefinitely from all NBA related events after falling asleep courtside at a WNBA game. pic.twitter.com/8hCxENMf5S
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) July 20, 2023
As security issued a warning, he defended his actions by citing a medical condition. Security eventually escorted him out of the arena.
On July 19, Adams was given an official warning and was forced to leave the game due to another antic. He made several trolling comments during a game between the Minnesota Lynx and Dallas Wings. Additionally, he escalated the situation by catching a loose ball and attempting a shot, which led to him being promptly kicked out of the arena.
JiDion is wild for this man 😭 pic.twitter.com/jtpJbndE1e
— The Hooper’s Voice | Moe (@thehoopersvoice) July 20, 2023
After Adams’ antics, several of his fans attempted to troll the league’s Instagram account with sleeping emojis. They’re matching the title of his video, ‘Don’t Sleep on the WNBA.‘
In the past, Adams was kicked out of the US Open. He trolled them by getting a haircut while sitting courtside. And when he performed the same stunt in the NBA, he received no punishment from the NBA.
Gilbert Arenas sees the stunt as an opportunity for the NBA
In his podcast,?Gil’s Arenas,?Gilbert Arenas devised a solution for JiDion’s gestures. Going by his preaching that there is nothing like bad publicity, he initially said,?“He pays 200, he buys the seat so he can troll for his viewership. The WNBA and NBA did exactly what he wanted, viral moment. To be everywhere”.
Arenas then pointed out how NBA got the short end of the stick in the situation.
Gilbert suggested that instead of banning YouTube, the NBA could have used his creativity and passion to employ him. “At this point, he was trolling both teams. One of you guys hire him to troll the opponent.” Arenas thinks it could have accumulated a lot of buzz and given the crowd another reason to be interested in WNBA games.
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Gilbert’s takes on the WNBA have always been intriguing and occasionally controversial. Despite that, his latest remarks strike a chord. Bringing mascots into the WNBA, a long-standing tradition in the NBA, seems like a solid move. Adam Silver is driven to boost the WNBA, but it’s essential to recognize that the NBA’s global brand is more than meets the eye. It does require a thoughtful decision to maintain its distinct identity.
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