Shaquille O’Neal made one three-pointer in his career. Now he is blaming the three-ball for ruining the game.
Is this the reason for the NBA viewership decline?
TL;DR
Shaquille O’Neal thinks the NBA has become predictable — and fans are tuning out.
With early-season TV ratings down as much as 47%, Shaq blames the three-point obsession that began with Steph Curry’s influence. He’s not knocking Curry himself, but rather the copy-and-paste style across the league. When every team plays the same way, the game loses its edge — and viewers notice. The NBA now faces a balance problem: evolve without losing entertainment value.
The NBA is facing a TV ratings problem, and Shaquille O’Neal isn’t mincing words about why. The Hall of Fame center and TNT analyst recently pointed to what he sees as the culprit: the three-point shot’s dominance in modern basketball. “Steph Curry and those guys messed it up,” O’Neal declared on his podcast, igniting a debate about the evolution of professional basketball and its impact on fan engagement.
Now, before people lose their minds and say Shaq doesn’t like Steph or it’s all Steph’s fault, breathe. Shaq isn’t actually saying it’s Steph…it’s Steph’s followers. It just so happens that the list of followers includes all of basketball — GMs, coaches, and players at all levels.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Recent viewership data paints a concerning picture for the NBA. Early-season numbers show alarming declines:
- Opening week NBA viewership in the 2024-25 season dropped as much as 47% for some games compared to last season
- TNT’s broadcasts have suffered a 14% decrease in viewership
- ESPN’s average viewership plummeted 34% in the first two weeks (1.21 million vs. 1.84 million viewers)
Even more telling, Major League Baseball’s World Series recently surpassed NBA Finals ratings.
The Three-Point Revolution that “Started” the NBA Viewership Decline in Shaq’s Eyes
O’Neal’s criticism centers on what he sees as the homogenization of NBA basketball. “It’s down because we’re looking at the same thing,” he explained. “Everybody is running the same plays… I don’t mind Golden State back in the day shooting threes, but every team isn’t a three-point shooter. So why does everybody have the same strategy? I think it makes the game boring.”
The statistics support O’Neal’s observation about the three-point revolution:
- In 2002, during O’Neal’s Lakers championship season, teams averaged 18.4 three-point attempts per game.
- Today’s teams, like the Boston Celtics, are shooting upwards of 43.2 threes per game—nearly half their total field goal attempts.
- The league-wide average has more than doubled in the past decade.
The Steph Curry Effect on the NBA
Steph Curry’s influence on basketball cannot be understated. As he approaches the milestone of 4,000 career three-pointers, his impact extends beyond personal statistics. “Everybody wants to be Steph Curry,” O’Neal noted, “but everybody’s not Steph Curry, and that’s why viewership is down.”
This copycat phenomenon has led to what O’Neal and others see as a dilution of basketball’s strategic diversity. Teams increasingly employ similar offensive schemes centered around three-point shooting, regardless of their personnel’s actual shooting abilities.
Defensive Switching
O’Neal’s criticism extends to defensive strategies as well. “Now, you switch everything,” he said. “You’ve got Victor Wembanyama guarding Donovan Mitchell at the top of the key. That ain’t no good basketball.” This observation highlights how the three-point revolution has fundamentally altered defensive schemes, often creating mismatches that wouldn’t have existed in previous eras.
NBA Viewership Decline and its Relationship to Dollars
The viewership decline carries significant financial implications. As O’Neal warned, “These dudes, they need to wake up because if viewership is down, the money is gonna come down.” This concern comes despite the NBA recently securing a massive media rights deal, suggesting the league’s long-term value proposition remains strong despite current challenges.
Here is where I would say there’s a long time before the NBA needs to re-negotiate the $76 billion media deal they just signed. It lasts for 11 years.
Expert Voices Join the Chorus on the NBA Viewership Decline
O’Neal isn’t alone in his assessment. Other prominent voices in basketball have expressed similar concerns:
- Bob Costas has questioned whether increased three-point attempts are creating a less pleasing viewing experience.
- Bob Ryan, Bomani Jones, and Nick Wright have criticized the modern style of “chucking as many threes as possible.”
- Basketball analysts have proposed solutions like extending the three-point line to encourage more diverse offensive strategies.
Is Shaq Right? What’s Next?
The NBA faces a crucial challenge: evolving while maintaining the entertainment value that made it a global powerhouse. While the three-point shot has undoubtedly revolutionized basketball, Shaq’s criticism raises valid questions about whether this revolution has gone too far.
As one of the NBA’s most valuable brand ambassadors, Shaq’s “boring” assessment should catch the league’s attention. The question now becomes whether the NBA will consider adjustments to encourage more diverse playing styles or continue embracing the three-point revolution that has defined modern basketball.
The game’s future may depend on finding a balance between innovation and entertainment—ensuring that basketball remains not just a showcase of three-point shooting, but a dynamic sport that captures the imagination of fans across generations.
FAQs
Why does Shaq think the three-pointer ruined basketball?
O’Neal argues that the overreliance on threes has made every team look the same. Instead of unique offensive styles, most teams now follow the same formula — drive, kick, and shoot. To Shaq, that predictability is bad for fan engagement and the game’s flow.
Were NBA ratings really declining in the 2024-25 season?
Yes. The 2024–25 season started with sharp drops — up to 47% for some games compared to last year. ESPN’s early-season audience fell 34%, while TNT’s dropped 14%. That’s a steep slide for a league used to upward momentum.
Is Steph Curry really to blame for NBA viewership decline?
Not directly. Shaq made it clear that Curry’s greatness isn’t the problem — it’s everyone trying (and failing) to play like him. Curry changed the game; others just copied it without the same precision or excitement.
Could the NBA fix this issue?
Analysts have suggested tweaks like moving the three-point line back or reducing defensive switching to create more diverse styles of play. But for now, the league seems committed to its pace-and-space identity.
What’s the business impact of lower NBA viewership?
Ratings affect ad revenue, sponsorships, and long-term media deals. While the NBA just secured a $76 billion, 11-year media rights deal, continued viewership decline could pressure future negotiations or brand perception.
NBA Viewership Decline: Shaq Blames Steph and the 3-Pointer
Shaquille O’Neal made one three-pointer in his career. Now he is blaming the three-ball for ruining the game.
Is this the reason for the NBA viewership decline?
TL;DR
Shaquille O’Neal thinks the NBA has become predictable — and fans are tuning out.
With early-season TV ratings down as much as 47%, Shaq blames the three-point obsession that began with Steph Curry’s influence. He’s not knocking Curry himself, but rather the copy-and-paste style across the league. When every team plays the same way, the game loses its edge — and viewers notice. The NBA now faces a balance problem: evolve without losing entertainment value.
The NBA is facing a TV ratings problem, and Shaquille O’Neal isn’t mincing words about why. The Hall of Fame center and TNT analyst recently pointed to what he sees as the culprit: the three-point shot’s dominance in modern basketball. “Steph Curry and those guys messed it up,” O’Neal declared on his podcast, igniting a debate about the evolution of professional basketball and its impact on fan engagement.
Now, before people lose their minds and say Shaq doesn’t like Steph or it’s all Steph’s fault, breathe. Shaq isn’t actually saying it’s Steph…it’s Steph’s followers. It just so happens that the list of followers includes all of basketball — GMs, coaches, and players at all levels.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Recent viewership data paints a concerning picture for the NBA. Early-season numbers show alarming declines:
Even more telling, Major League Baseball’s World Series recently surpassed NBA Finals ratings.
The Three-Point Revolution that “Started” the NBA Viewership Decline in Shaq’s Eyes
O’Neal’s criticism centers on what he sees as the homogenization of NBA basketball. “It’s down because we’re looking at the same thing,” he explained. “Everybody is running the same plays… I don’t mind Golden State back in the day shooting threes, but every team isn’t a three-point shooter. So why does everybody have the same strategy? I think it makes the game boring.”
The statistics support O’Neal’s observation about the three-point revolution:
The Steph Curry Effect on the NBA
Steph Curry’s influence on basketball cannot be understated. As he approaches the milestone of 4,000 career three-pointers, his impact extends beyond personal statistics. “Everybody wants to be Steph Curry,” O’Neal noted, “but everybody’s not Steph Curry, and that’s why viewership is down.”
This copycat phenomenon has led to what O’Neal and others see as a dilution of basketball’s strategic diversity. Teams increasingly employ similar offensive schemes centered around three-point shooting, regardless of their personnel’s actual shooting abilities.
Defensive Switching
O’Neal’s criticism extends to defensive strategies as well. “Now, you switch everything,” he said. “You’ve got Victor Wembanyama guarding Donovan Mitchell at the top of the key. That ain’t no good basketball.” This observation highlights how the three-point revolution has fundamentally altered defensive schemes, often creating mismatches that wouldn’t have existed in previous eras.
NBA Viewership Decline and its Relationship to Dollars
The viewership decline carries significant financial implications. As O’Neal warned, “These dudes, they need to wake up because if viewership is down, the money is gonna come down.” This concern comes despite the NBA recently securing a massive media rights deal, suggesting the league’s long-term value proposition remains strong despite current challenges.
Here is where I would say there’s a long time before the NBA needs to re-negotiate the $76 billion media deal they just signed. It lasts for 11 years.
Expert Voices Join the Chorus on the NBA Viewership Decline
O’Neal isn’t alone in his assessment. Other prominent voices in basketball have expressed similar concerns:
Is Shaq Right? What’s Next?
The NBA faces a crucial challenge: evolving while maintaining the entertainment value that made it a global powerhouse. While the three-point shot has undoubtedly revolutionized basketball, Shaq’s criticism raises valid questions about whether this revolution has gone too far.
As one of the NBA’s most valuable brand ambassadors, Shaq’s “boring” assessment should catch the league’s attention. The question now becomes whether the NBA will consider adjustments to encourage more diverse playing styles or continue embracing the three-point revolution that has defined modern basketball.
The game’s future may depend on finding a balance between innovation and entertainment—ensuring that basketball remains not just a showcase of three-point shooting, but a dynamic sport that captures the imagination of fans across generations.
FAQs
Why does Shaq think the three-pointer ruined basketball?
O’Neal argues that the overreliance on threes has made every team look the same. Instead of unique offensive styles, most teams now follow the same formula — drive, kick, and shoot. To Shaq, that predictability is bad for fan engagement and the game’s flow.
Were NBA ratings really declining in the 2024-25 season?
Yes. The 2024–25 season started with sharp drops — up to 47% for some games compared to last year. ESPN’s early-season audience fell 34%, while TNT’s dropped 14%. That’s a steep slide for a league used to upward momentum.
Is Steph Curry really to blame for NBA viewership decline?
Not directly. Shaq made it clear that Curry’s greatness isn’t the problem — it’s everyone trying (and failing) to play like him. Curry changed the game; others just copied it without the same precision or excitement.
Could the NBA fix this issue?
Analysts have suggested tweaks like moving the three-point line back or reducing defensive switching to create more diverse styles of play. But for now, the league seems committed to its pace-and-space identity.
What’s the business impact of lower NBA viewership?
Ratings affect ad revenue, sponsorships, and long-term media deals. While the NBA just secured a $76 billion, 11-year media rights deal, continued viewership decline could pressure future negotiations or brand perception.