NBA

ESPN Takes Massive Ratings Hit as NBA Finals Crumble

The 2018 NBA Finals fell flat with a four-year low in TV ratings, as the fourth consecutive match-up between the Cavs and the Warriors resulted in an anti-climactic four-game sweep for Golden State. The Warriors became the first team to sweep the series in four straight games since 2007 when the San Antonio Spurs downed the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to Deadline Hollywood. But, the shortened series certainly did nothing to help Disney-owned ESPN in the ratings. While Game Four earned an 11.2 in metered markets and saw 19 million viewers, that was an eleven percent decline from last season’s Game Four. Worse, compared with the final game last year, the 2018 final game was down a whopping 30 percent over Game Five from 2017 (which itself brought 24.5 million pairs of eyes to their TV sets). Indeed, as Richard Deitsch noted, this year’s 17.65 million viewers for four games is down 2 million even from the last lowest rated broadcast back in 2015 when the finals averaged 19.9 million viewers. Still, the numbers are reflective of a general decline in TV ratings across the board.

Donald Sterling surrenders control of LA Clippers to wife Shelly

Donald Sterling surrenders control of LA Clippers to wife Shelly

Disclaimer..  For the record, I couldn’t care less about who owns the LA Clippers NBA team, or about Donald Sterling.  And, the whole controversy has been a breathtaking display of sports media hypocrisy, a sanctimonious playing of the race card by hypocrites that are equally to blame, and a scary indictment on our society; how someone in a free country could actually lose his property over something he said in the privacy of his home (however stupid or offensive is irrelevant), and is illegally taped saying that.  How frightening is THAT thought?!  I thought we lived in America; not Nazi Germany or Vlad’s Russia.  But, I digress..  There is this ongoing media circus.  And, its news.  So, here is the latest on that drama that the sports world can’t seem to stop talking about.  Hopefully this is the beginning of this story just going away..

Donald Sterling is a racist and liberal media are hypocrites

Donald Sterling is a racist and liberal media are hypocrites

Eric makes some good points here.  Of course, I think its outrageous that what someone says in the privacy of his/her home could potentially cost them their property.  This shouldn’t happen in America where we ostensibly have a 1st Amendment right to free speech (however silly, moronic, controversial, et.)…especially in the privacy of our homes!  Shame on the NBA for this brazen case of CYA.  Did you see the NBA Commissioner look into the camera, puff up his chest and with self-righteousness say, “effective immediately I am banning Mr. Sterling from the NBA for life.”  Wow..   As Eric notes, Donald Sterling’s views on race were well known for a VERY long time by all of these racial hand wringers.  And there are other angles to this story that the media isn’t addressing…but are curious.  Donald, while white, is an 80 year old Jewish Democrat.  Just fathom if he had been Republican Christian Tea Party person.  AG Holder would probably start some investigation into the old man.  And take a good hard look at his old girl friend that outted him.  Put the 50 year age difference aside, shes not exactly of the caucasian persuasion.   Ya know?  So, there is so much more to this story….not that I care.  I don’t.  What is interesting here is the hypocrisy of the liberal media and the race hustlers.  This is FAR more about the liberal media coverage of this story and the NBA, then “Mr. Sterling.” 

Sharpton Wants Clippers Owner Axed: ‘Prepared to Rally In Front of NBA’

Sharpton Wants Clippers Owner Axed: ‘Prepared to Rally In Front of NBA’

I was wondering when Al Sharpton (and/or Jesse Jackson, Obama, the NAACP, etc.) was gonna get involved in this one.  Any opportunity to cash in on the race issue, and there is almost an Army of race-peddlers.  Al typically takes the lead.  And, in Al Sharpton’s world if you say something HE doesn’t approve of, you should lose your property..that pesky First Amendment be damned.  If your language doesn’t adhere to certain politically-correct standards as determined by Al, Jesse or the NAACP, then they’ll go after you, your reputation, your career, and your property.   To that end, Al is gonna go stammer to the politically correct NBA and raise holy heck until they “do something.”  Lets hope that the NBA has the intestinal fortitude to tell race-hustling Al to go play with himself.  Of course, they’ll probably cave.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not defending the words of Donald Sterling. I just don’t like the hypocrisy of race-baiting speech Nazis like Al Sharpton.