NBA Finals: Adam Silver Tackles Virtual Decals and Viewership Dip

The NBA Finals, where the Indiana Pacers are battling the Oklahoma City Thunder, have sparked some chatter—not just about the games, but about the court itself. Virtual decals of the Larry O’Brien Trophy and “The Finals” branding have replaced the traditional painted designs, and fans have noticed. Some say these digital overlays flicker or vanish during broadcasts, creating a distracting viewing experience.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the issue in Indianapolis before Game 3, explaining the shift to virtual decals. “We stopped using physical decals a decade ago,” he told ESPN. “They were slippery—ask Kendrick Perkins.” Painting the court, it turns out, is no easy feat. The league needs ample time for the paint to dry to avoid hazardous conditions for players, and that’s a logistical hurdle in today’s fast-paced schedule.

Then there’s the viewership story. The Thunder-Pacers series has averaged 8.84 million viewers for the first two games, a 24% drop from the past three Finals and the lowest since 2007 (excluding the 2020 Bubble). Silver, however, isn’t sweating it. “We’re still the highest-rated programs in May and June,” he said, noting that 20 years ago, the Finals often lost the night to other shows. Today’s media landscape is fragmented—fans are streaming, scrolling, and podcasting. “It’s a changed society,” Silver added, emphasizing the league’s push into new platforms like social media and direct-to-consumer marketing.

With the Pacers leading 2-1, Game 4 tips off Friday at 7:30 p.m. EDT in Indianapolis. The court may be digital, but the stakes are as real as ever.