“Christmas Day belongs to the NFL,” some players claim, igniting a contentious debate about the dominance of holiday sports.
The Detroit Lions players have thrown their weight behind football over basketball in the heated argument over which sport actually owns Christmas Day. LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers rekindled the discussion by asserting that the NBA has traditionally owned the holiday. The NFL’s record-breaking attendance this year, however, speaks for itself.
The NBA established the Christmas Day basketball tradition in 1947, and it has been a mainstay for fans for many years. However, a staggering 65 million people watched the NFL’s Christmas games this year, which included the Ravens vs. Texans and the Chiefs vs. Steelers matchups. Given that these games are currently the most viewed in NFL history, many people are wondering if football has taken over the Christmas spotlight.
Lions players back NFL’s Christmas day takeover
“Christmas Day is for football,” said Za’Darius Smith, a defensive end for the Lions. Families gather to watch action-packed games rather than only dribbling and dunking. Smith’s viewpoint supports the rising belief that football is the go-to holiday activity. Although he acknowledged basketball’s beloved role, wide receiver Allen Robinson II, a Detroit native and lifetime NBA fan, conceded that the NFL has the power to win any day. “Football is the number one game in this country,” said Robinson. “The NFL is just a different beast.”
NBA still holds its ground
The NBA also had a record-breaking Christmas Day, in spite of the NFL’s triumph. With an average of 5.2 million viewers per game, its holiday games saw an 84% increase in viewership over the previous year. The Lakers vs. Warriors game was the most watched, drawing 7.76 million viewers. Graham Glasgow, an offensive lineman with the Lions, said both sports have a place. “The goal is to provide fans with diversity. You can watch basketball if you’d like. If you prefer football, it’s there too,” Glasgow remarked.
Beyoncé’s halftime show steals the spotlight
Beyoncé’s spectacular halftime performance at the Ravens-Texans game further cemented the NFL’s supremacy. At its peak, 27 million people watched the Grammy winner’s performance, which was called the “Beyoncé Bowl.” Robinson gave the broadcast good marks for its blend of celebrity appearances and games. “You had excellent coverage, fantastic teams, and Beyoncé at halftime. “For football fans, it was a victory,” he remarked.
As the ratings trickle in, the issue remains: is Christmas Day huge enough for both the NFL and NBA, or has the NFL completely taken over the holiday? Next year, both players and fans will be closely observing.