LeBron James, a self-proclaimed Dallas Cowboys fan and global basketball icon, faced an unexpected reality check this Christmas. While promoting the NBA’s Christmas Day games as a long-standing tradition, James couldn’t help but notice the NFL stealing the holiday spotlight with staggering viewership numbers.
The NFL reported a combined 65 million viewers tuning in for at least one minute of its two Christmas Day games. The Baltimore Ravens‘ 31-2 victory over the Houston Texans, featuring Beyonc’s much-anticipated halftime show, averaged 24.3 million viewers. Meanwhile, Kansas City’s dominant 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers brought in 24.1 million viewers, according to Nielsen’s early data.
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By contrast, the NBA’s five-game Christmas lineup, which included LeBron’s Los Angeles Lakers triumphing over Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors, averaged just 5.25 million viewers per game across ABC, ESPN, and its platforms.
LeBron’s bold statement misses the mark
Unshaken by the numbers, James stood firm on his belief that Christmas belongs to the NBA. “I love the NFL. But Christmas is our day,” he proclaimed to his audience. Yet, his statement seemed to fall flat as fans flocked to their screens to watch football rather than basketball.
The NFL’s growing dominance during the holiday season has sparked a broader conversation about the shifting dynamics of sports viewership. For years, the NBA’s Christmas Day games have been a cherished tradition, but the NFL’s strategic scheduling and entertainment powerhouses, like Beyonc’s halftime show, are proving hard to beat.
A blow to basketball fandom?
James‘ passion for football isn’t new. The Lakers star has joked about being offered an NFL contract by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and has maintained his love for the game, despite moments of criticism over Jones‘ handling of political controversies.
Still, this Christmas clash highlights a sobering reality for the NBA: competing with the NFL’s sheer popularity, even on a day traditionally associated with basketball, is no small feat.
As the NFL continues to expand its holiday programming, it seems that even stars like LeBron James might have to share the Christmas stage. For now, football fans are the clear winners of this holiday rivalry.
