After the 1998-’99 lockout, television ratings and attendance significantly dropped. Au contraire says 2011-12. The LA Times reports that the five Christmas day opener produced healthy ratings on TNT, ABC and ESPN, including ABC drawing in 11 million viewers for the Bulls-Lakers game.
Twenty-five of the first 32 games in the shortened season were sellouts which is up from 19 of the first 32 last season. Maybe fans want to get their NBA fix in quick while it lasts. After the holidays, however attendance might fall, but the NBA is prepared for that.
The NBA encouraged teams to make around 500 tickets per game available at $10 or less according to NBA Executive Vice President Chris Granger. Granger told the LA Times that about one million $10 tickets will be availble over the course of the season.
— Reported by Angie Wiatrowski of CSN Chicago
