The NBA is in a bit of a pickle this season, and fans are louder than ever about their frustrations. From pricey subscriptions to clunky broadcasts, it’s all rubbing people the wrong way. Even the league’s magic seems to be losing its spark. And guess what? Players like Kevin Durant are chiming in too, siding with the fans. For Adam Silver and his team, it’s a headache that’s getting harder to shake.

This week, a shocking stat dropped: NBA viewership has plummeted by 48% since 2012. A tidal wave of opinions from fans, analysts, and even players—past and present— are all eager to weigh in on what’s gone wrong. Thus, the court of public opinion is in session. Meanwhile, quoting an X post that read:

“Don’t get me wrong– there’s *SO* much the NBA could do better. But at the same time– all the “What’s wrong with the NBA” talk is also insufferable. The entire discourse is just nostalgic, opinion-based complaints & whining, with zero regard for facts/data/research whatsoever.”

The Phoenix Suns superstar and veteran hooper Kevin Durant agreed with the league fan. KD tweeted: “Good morning! I agree…Enjoy todays slate of games.” Well, some might say he had a hint of a “don’t be too cynical” tone to his agreement message. But, it looks like even the 14x All-Star forward isn’t enjoying the All-Time viewership low of the league.

Well, Kevin Durant values his fans but has little love for the NBA fandom. But, he’s often voiced his frustration over their constant and harsh criticism of the league. His frustration with the fandom? Nothing compared to his anger at fans who tear one player down just to boost another. It’s a move Durant can’t stand. But, that is beside the point.

The league’s charm is waning… exponentially. Even Adam Silver’s vision isn’t working out for the NBA. It’s scary to even imagine what will happen if the viewership drop doesn’t stop anytime soon.

Kevin Durant’s concerns come after Adam Silver’s ambitious $76 billion deal

Given the NBA’s current viewership struggles, was it necessary to sign a massive deal? Maybe it was. Adam Silver’s ambition led him to sign an 11-year, $76 billion TV rights deal with Disney, NBC, and Amazon this summer. However, these broadcasters have seen a major dip in viewership in the last decade. But, Silver’s desperate attempts to make the league more interesting continue to this day.

Over a month into the 2024-25 season, NBA ratings have taken a 28% dip on ESPN through Nov. 21. TNT’s numbers are holding steady at 1.8 million viewers, but ESPN trails just behind at 1.77 million. So, what’s going on? It’s hard to point to just one reason, but analysts are blaming the overload of regular-season games and the constant shake-ups. Players like Kevin Durant and others swap teams like it’s a game of musical chairs. It’s enough to leave fans scratching their heads and tuning out.

Meanwhile, Ethan Strauss, the sports and culture writer who’s seen the Golden State Warriors up close, has a simple take on the NBA’s struggles: “How does the league make the players try harder?” He points out, “That seems like a question you wouldn’t even be considering 15 years ago or even 10 years ago. And it seems like it’s so mundane that you should be able to solve this problem.” 

Well, as mentioned earlier, it’s difficult to point out just one reason behind the NBA’s struggles. However, Kevin Durant’s agreement with the fans has to be an alarm for Adam Silver & Co. Well, you cannot have Stephen Curry on the court every day to see a 2 million viewership spike! It’s far from what you’d call a long-term plan. So, what will the league officials do to improve the situation? What do you think?