The Los Angeles Lakers have been unwatchable at times this year, especially with Kobe Bryant out in recent weeks, and the numbers back it up. At the unofficial mid-way point of the season during the All-Star break, the Nielsen ratings show that the Lakers are drawing in the fewest amount of fans via television in history.
"Nielsen ratings for the Lakers in the Los Angeles market are at an all-time low, dipping below a 2.00 rating for the first time, according to the ratings firm.The Lakers’ 1.95 rating on Time Warner Cable SportsNet is down 25% from this point last season and puts the team on pace to break the record low 2.11 figure it posted for the 2013-14 season."
It’s worth noting that, even at their worst, the Lakers are considerably better than the Clippers’ ratings, who are coming in with a rating of 1.10 this season, down 13% from last year. The Lakers downfall obviously corresponds with their record over the last two years, but USC Sports Business executive director David Carter said it’s not quite to the point of no return (via the LA Times):
"“As long as the fans believe that the Buss family is doing everything it can to put a winning product on the court, they will allow them some time,” Carter said Tuesday, referring to the team’s owners. “A major injury and maybe some bad bounces, I think fans understand that.“But if fans believe there is an ongoing issue with draft selections and trades and player personnel overall that results in consistent 25-win seasons or the like, then I think the fans become really concerned.”"
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, in honesty, with the Lakers struggling mightily in the last two seasons. After having their historically worst season last year in terms of win-loss record, the Lakers are on pace this year for an even worse season. In terms of ratings, while Kobe Bryant drove in the ratings to start the year, his absence means a lack of ratings.
The Lakers are going to struggle the rest of the year and the ratings will suffer, but with Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, and Kobe Bryant set to join a like top-five draft pick next season, it’s easy to expect them to bounce back.
More from Lake Show Life
- 3 Reasons LeBron James passes Michael Jordan with another Lakers title
- No star has done so little with as much help as Lakers’ Russell Westbrook
- Rob Pelinka is directly going against his promise to LeBron James
- The 76ers won’t be able to help the Lakers trade for Kyrie Irving
- 3 keys to the Los Angeles Lakers shocking the world next season