The seven games broadcast from Thursday to Sunday achieved more than 40% year-on-year increase in average audience on ESPN, via KAYO and Foxtel.
By March the league had announced it had reached 1 million attendees. marking the first time this milestone has been reached since 1996. The landmark figure had been reached with 41 less games than in 1996. The NBL has also recorded its highest average regular-season attendance this year, with the 7,131 figure marking a 15% uplift on last season. There have been a total of 33 sell-outs during the season, with the JackJumpers selling out every home game for the third consecutive season.
The total number of attendees through 154 games this season was 1,097,455 – third all-time behind 1994 (1,127,033 in 198 games) and 1995 (1,097,678 in 201 games). The average crowd was 7,126, a new NBL record. With 40 sell-outs across the campaign, crowds increased by 11%.
The captivating Melbourne United v Tasmania JackJumpers Championship Series headlined the League’s incredible growth, with broadcast ratings up 52% on last season’s Series, including a jump in viewership on Game 5 – a 35% increase on last year.
The broadcast ratings across the entire season increased by 26%, including a more than 27% jump across the Finals.