As fans eagerly await the highly anticipated NBA Finals Game 7 this Sunday night, Richard Deitsch, a renowned sports media columnist from The Athletic, connected with sports business editor Dan Shanoff to discuss the immense expectations and pressures not only on the teams but also on the league and its broadcast partner, ESPN. The stakes are high as they strive to deliver an unforgettable experience for basketball enthusiasts.
Shanoff observes that while it may sound cliché, the phrase “Game 7” embodies one of the greatest moments in sports. He raises an important question: what kind of pressure are the NBA and ESPN under to present a broadcast that truly reflects the significance of this monumental event? Or is “Game 7” inherently captivating enough that no league or network can fail to deliver an engaging experience?
Deitsch recalls the iconic monologue by Al Michaels at the start of ABC’s coverage of the legendary Miracle On Ice game, where he remarked, “What we have at hand, the rarest of sporting events — an event that needs no buildup, no superfluous adjectives.” This sentiment holds true for all Game 7s and title games across major sports. The inherent excitement demands that the broadcaster effectively conveys the gravity of the moment, ensuring viewers understand what is at stake.
For Sunday’s presentation on ABC, it is crucial that ESPN emphasizes the historical context of the game, potentially revisiting the last Game 7 in the NBA Finals. Deitsch advises that the focus should remain on the game itself rather than ESPN personalities. “Please, make it about the game,” he implores, emphasizing the importance of showcasing the sport rather than the network.
Reflecting on past moments, Deitsch mentions ESPN play-by-play announcer Mike Breen’s legendary call, “Blocked by James!,” from the 2016 NBA Finals Game 7, which has become one of the most memorable broadcast calls in history. He questions whether Breen, alongside analysts Doris Burke and Richard Jefferson, feel any unique pressure to create another unforgettable moment. While there’s pressure to capture the game’s biggest highlights, the responsibility also lies with the producer and director to ensure a seamless presentation.
This upcoming broadcast is particularly significant as it may be the last time this trio calls the NBA Finals together. Deitsch notes that their shared experience from the last Game 7 adds a layer of depth and insight that could enrich the viewing experience. For ESPN, a successful broadcast means that conversations post-game revolve around the game itself rather than the commentary or production quality.
Recent changes in the NBA’s broadcast approach, such as adding digitized Finals logos to the court and reinstating televised pre-game player introductions, signal a willingness to adapt based on audience feedback. Deitsch acknowledges this reactive strategy as a positive step, stating, “It’s better to be reactive with a popular change than not to react at all.” He emphasizes that player introductions add a sense of grandeur, making the game feel more significant.
Front Office Sports’ Colin Salao highlights that the previous four NBA Finals Game 7s experienced a remarkable 65 percent increase in viewership compared to earlier games in the series. If this trend holds, the upcoming Game 7 could draw nearly 20 million viewers, potentially marking it as the most-watched Finals game of the 2020s. However, Deitsch points out that it might not reach the extraordinary 31 million viewers garnered during the 2016 Game 7 between the Cavs and Warriors, featuring LeBron James and Steph Curry.
Ultimately, Deitsch predicted that while the series has generated excitement, the viewership for Game 7 may not surpass 22 million due to the smaller market teams involved. He anticipates that the audience lift may be less pronounced this year, estimating between 15 to 18 million viewers for the pivotal game. Regardless of the final numbers, he believes that the NBA and ESPN benefit from not having a short series, which could have resulted in dire viewership statistics.
As fans prepare for this climactic showdown, all eyes will be on the NBA and ESPN to deliver a broadcast that lives up to the excitement and drama inherent in a Game 7.
