Could basketball overtake football as America's favorite sport?

[Geese]

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wrote an op-ed in today's Guardian arguing the NBA, not the NFL, will be the sport of America's future. It makes for interesting reading.

The NBA has surpassed the NFL as the league of America’s future | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

He points out the studies of NFL players suffering brain injuries once their career is over. Basketball is rising in popularity among youth but football is falling. In order for a sport to be popular it needs to get a new generation of fans. Football being responsible for more injuries than any other sport amongst America's youth. Football accounts for 28% of injuries amongst youth compared to only 15% for basketball. The NFL squashes political dissent, Colin Kaepernick, while the NBA allows a lot more freedom with its players to speak out against injustices. He brings up LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Jarrett Jack, Alan Anderson, Deron Williams, Kevin Garnett and others wearing "I Can't Breathe" T-shirts to protest the death of Eric Garner by police.

 

[Solid Snake]

I would have said no, never like 5 years ago but it seems that people are getting as fed up with the NFL as I am.

 

[Rosie]

Want something as brutal as football and as fast as Basketball?

Try hockey!

Sincerely,

A Canadian.

 

[Patriot Pants]

Me personally? I've never really followed basketball, I went to games in high school because my ex played (I played football and she came to games, so it was a nice thing to do). But other than those times I don't watch it at all. I can get into it though if I am at the game but that's it.

It might take over though if the NFL doesn't quit with their shenanigans lol

 

[Just Kevin]

No, the answer is no.

 

[Nikki Nitro]

Football is much more interesting in my opinion.

 

[Rosie]

This is may be the Canadian here, but I find it hard to get into football. I don't mind the CFL once in a while (our Football League) but I hate the pacing of the actual games.

It's one play which lasts typically ten seconds, after waiting about a minute, then as soon as there is a turnover, oh, five minutes of commercials. Then a kick, then another five minutes. Then you play again, and I just don't like it. Typically in a 20 minute period in hockey, there are only two commercial breaks and each play is typically fast.

 

[Swift]

This is may be the Canadian here, but I find it hard to get into football. I don't mind the CFL once in a while (our Football League) but I hate the pacing of the actual games.

It's one play which lasts typically ten seconds, after waiting about a minute, then as soon as there is a turnover, oh, five minutes of commercials. Then a kick, then another five minutes. Then you play again, and I just don't like it. Typically in a 20 minute period in hockey, there are only two commercial breaks and each play is typically fast.

Yeah, ads are annoying. It is even more annoying in College football. Feels like games last 6 hours... (they kinda do)

 

[Swift]

NBA has a chance if they stop being pansies. Too many fouls called and too much flopping.

 

[akapablo_]

Really, from my point of view, most people are done with the NFL, due to the protesting, the kneeling, and the NFL doing nothing to stop it. It doesn't help that our Commander in Chief has been calling for a boycott of the NFL, because of the "un-american" actions. It wouldn't surprise me, as most of my friends barely watch the NFL on Sundays anymore. We'll just have to wait and see.

 

[InSaNe]

Really, from my point of view, most people are done with the NFL, due to the protesting, the kneeling, and the NFL doing nothing to stop it. It doesn't help that our Commander in Chief has been calling for a boycott of the NFL, because of the "un-american" actions. It wouldn't surprise me, as most of my friends barely watch the NFL on Sundays anymore. We'll just have to wait and see.

Sounds like a perfect opportunity for another football league to take NFL's place. I doubt that NFL fans will just go to a different sport just because of this bullshit. Basketball is getting as big as NFL, and has been in recent years, but I don't see it growing to the size that NFL has been for the last, what century...?

 

[Dolph'sZiggler]

The NBA will inevitably take over as the most popular American sport worldwide, if it hasn't already. The NFL has no global market.

As far as being more popular in the US, I also believe that is only a matter of time. Couple all of the NFL's problems with the NBA's popularity soaring, especially with the younger markets, and it seems clear to me that the NBA will be the top dog in American sports sooner rather than later. The NBA having ridiculous young marketable players like Giannis, Zinger, Embiid, etc all on the rise is just another feather in their cap considering they already have a handful of players more marketable than the NFL has. Curry and LeBron are both more recognizable than any NFL player.

 

[Just Kevin]

The NBA will inevitably take over as the most popular American sport worldwide, if it hasn't already. The NFL has no global market.

As far as being more popular in the US, I also believe that is only a matter of time. Couple all of the NFL's problems with the NBA's popularity soaring, especially with the younger markets, and it seems clear to me that the NBA will be the top dog in American sports sooner rather than later. The NBA having ridiculous young marketable players like Giannis, Zinger, Embiid, etc all on the rise is just another feather in their cap considering they already have a handful of players more marketable than the NFL has. Curry and LeBron are both more recognizable than any NFL player.

HOLY SHIT! @Dolph'sZiggler been missing you, bud!

 

[Dolph'sZiggler]

watsup my dude how have you been

 

[Just Kevin]

watsup my dude how have you been

Great... How about you?