The National Football League's Super Bowl LX, held last weekend in San Francisco, delivered substantial television audiences despite falling short of some anticipated records. The championship game secured the second-highest all-time average national audience in the United States with 125 million viewers, while in Canada it reached a top-10 historical mark with 6.8 million viewers.
Halftime Show Breaks Digital Records
One of the standout elements was the Apple Music Halftime Show featuring Bad Bunny, which became the third most-watched halftime show on television with an average audience of 129 million. When digital platforms, YouTube TV, and social media consumption are included, it easily became the most-consumed halftime show in history. This performance generated more discussion than any halftime show since Janet Jackson's infamous wardrobe malfunction in 2004.
Game Viewership Peaks and Declines
The matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots set a U.S. television record for peak viewership during the second quarter, with 137.8 million Americans tuning in. However, audience numbers declined in the later stages as the Seahawks built a commanding lead, ultimately winning 29-13. The fourth quarter saw Seattle outscore New England 17-13, but viewership could not maintain its earlier peak.
Winners Emerge from the Game
Several individuals benefited significantly from the Super Bowl outcome. Seattle's Kenneth Walker III, named Super Bowl MVP, is poised to capitalize on his performance financially. Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, who joined Walker at Disneyland celebrations, has seen his career narrative transformed with his fifth team. The biggest winner, however, may be the Paul G. Allen Trust, which owns the Seahawks franchise under the custodianship of Jody Allen, sister of the late owner. The team is expected to be sold within months, with all proceeds—projected between $8.5 billion and $10 billion—going to charity, representing a monumental victory for the designated charitable organizations.
NBA Enjoys Ratings Surge Amid Controversy
As the National Basketball Association approaches its all-star weekend at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, there is much to celebrate. Television ratings are surging due to new media partnerships with ESPN/ABC, Amazon Prime, and NBC/Peacock. NBC's return to NBA broadcasting for the first time since 2002 was marked by a Sunday night doubleheader averaging 3.7 million viewers, with a marquee game between the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers drawing an average national audience of 4.5 million Americans. The league is also exploring expansion to Las Vegas and a potential return to Seattle, while embracing digital innovation by inviting over 200 global content creators to a tech summit during all-star weekend.
Tanking Problem Overshadows Success
Despite these positive developments, the NBA is grappling with a significant issue: tanking. What began as "load management" has evolved into outright no-shows by key players this season, leading to six-figure fines for teams like the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers. This controversy has sparked calls for draft order and lottery reform, dominating discussions in Los Angeles during the all-star weekend. Some analysts argue that tanking and core player absences pose an even greater threat to the league's integrity than previous sports betting scandals, potentially undermining the bullish television ratings and streaming successes.
The juxtaposition of the NFL's Super Bowl triumph and the NBA's mixed fortunes highlights the dynamic nature of professional sports business, where audience engagement and internal challenges coexist in shaping the future of these major leagues.
