ESPN posted huge viewership for summer league thanks to Lakers
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images
The Lonzo Ball effect is real.
ESPN viewership for Las Vegas Summer League broadcasts were up 112 percent from last year, the network announced Wednesday.
Average viewership doubled from 369,000 to 783,000. The most watched game saw over one million viewers, with an additional streaming audience of 57,000.
All but one of the top seven most-viewed games featured the Los Angeles Lakers, who won the 2017 LVSL title earlier this week. The main intrigue - from his game down to his shoes - was tournament MVP Ball.
| Date | Telecast | Viewership (P2+) |
|---|---|---|
| July 8 | Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers | 1106000 |
| July 7 | LA Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers | 879000 |
| July 17 | Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers* | 836000 |
| July 13 | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | 780000 |
| July 16 | Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks | 763000 |
| July 8 | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Golden State Warriors | 736000 |
| July 12 | Philadelphia 76ers vs. Los Angeles Lakers | 585000 |