Photo Credit: Tim Hales/AP Photo

2022 FIFA World Cup vs. NBA: Can Basketball Compete With One Of The World’s Biggest Events?

The NBA season is now in full swing and things are really heating up. But, with the Soccer 2022 FIFA World Cup taking place this November/December, can the NBA really compete?

Indeed, with the USMNT finally back at the major event this year after missing out in Russia four years ago, as well as the fact that Canada will be playing in their first competition for almost 40 years, there may be more eyes on this year’s edition of the World Cup.

Additionally, with sports betting on the rise across North America, there is likely to be a host of World Cup betting opportunities available to many punters for the very first time. And, with great betting bonuses at in2bet.com.cy possible to utilize across a number of competitive markets, it does beg the question: will the NBA be able to compete across the months of November and December this year?

Let’s take a look at how the NBA is faring and what they could do to keep audiences tuning in.

NBA has struggled at times

It is no secret that the NBA has struggled in recent years to keep viewers engaged. Ratings have been declining steadily over the past few seasons and there is no one clear reason why. Some attribute it to the fact that games are often slow and lack excitement, while others believe that audiences are simply losing interest in basketball as a whole. Whatever the reason may be, it is clear that something needs to be done if the NBA wants to stay relevant.

One of the biggest issues facing the NBA right now is competition from other sports leagues. In particular, the NFL has been eating into the NBA’s audience share for years. And, with the Soccer World Cup taking place this November/December, it is only going to get worse. Basketball fans will have plenty of other options to choose from and it is highly unlikely that they will all be tuning into the NBA.

As mentioned, the 2022 FIFA World Cup will present a number of wagering opportunities that are yet to truly be experienced by Americans legally, while it is also a tournament that many across the continent will finally be able to fully invest themselves in due to representation. It has been a very long time since both the USMNT and Canada were at the same tournament, which will appeal to many fans. Additionally, there will be some that will also be looking ahead to 2026 when they co-host the tournament alongside Mexico, too.

Can the NBA do anything about it?

So, what can be done? First and foremost, the NBA needs to focus on delivering an exciting product. Games need to be fast-paced and filled with highlights if they want to keep viewers engaged. Additionally, they need to find ways to market themselves better. The NFL does a great job of promoting its players and creating storylines that followers can invest in; the NBA needs to do something similar if they want people to care about their league. 

Conclusion

Only time will tell if the NBA can really compete with the Soccer World Cup this November/December. They have got their work cut out for them, that is for sure. But, if they can manage to deliver an exciting product and market themselves effectively, there is a chance they will be able to hold onto their audience. We will just have to wait and see.