The dramatic downfall of Bud Light following their partnership with a transgender influencer serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences when brands alienate their core audience. But the Bud Light saga isn't an isolated incident. A similar, yet largely unreported, phenomenon has been unfolding in the NBA for years.

While the media extensively covered the Bud Light boycott, a comparable rejection of the NBA by a significant portion of the American sporting public has gone largely unnoticed. This is primarily because the predominantly left-leaning sports media, who generally support the league's embrace of progressive political messaging, have chosen to ignore the declining viewership numbers.

This silence is a disservice to both fans and brands. Had the media accurately reported on the NBA's declining popularity, perhaps companies would have been more cautious about incorporating political messaging into their marketing strategies. The NBA's situation, much like Bud Light's, underscores the importance of understanding and respecting the values of your core consumer base.

The NBA's decline can be traced back to a shift in leadership and brand strategy. While former commissioner David Stern focused on building a broad fan base, his successor, Adam Silver, has allowed political considerations to influence league decisions. This shift coincided with LeBron James' increasing involvement in political activism, further polarizing the fan base.

The turning point came in 2020 when the league openly embraced the Black Lives Matter movement, incorporating political slogans on jerseys and courts. This overt politicization alienated a significant portion of the fan base, leading to a dramatic drop in viewership. The 2020 NBA finals saw a 75% decline in viewership compared to the peak of Michael Jordan's era in 1998.

It's important to note that this decline isn't simply a reflection of changing viewing habits. Other sports, including the NFL and college basketball, have seen record-breaking viewership numbers in recent years. The NBA's declining popularity is directly linked to its embrace of divisive political messaging.

The league's recent decision to maintain the All-Star game in Utah, despite the state's passing of controversial transgender legislation, suggests that the NBA is recognizing the consequences of its actions. This reversal, however, has been largely unreported by the media.

The NBA's story is a cautionary tale for businesses and organizations across all sectors. It highlights the importance of staying true to your core values and respecting the diversity of opinions within your audience. The league's experience demonstrates that alienating a significant portion of your consumer base for political reasons can have severe and lasting consequences.

The contrast between Michael Jordan's apolitical approach and LeBron James' activism underscores this point. Jordan's focus on basketball excellence created a universally appealing brand, while James' political stance has contributed to the division within the NBA fan base.

The NBA's declining viewership is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors. However, the league's embrace of woke politics has undoubtedly played a significant role in alienating fans. This is a lesson that all brands should heed.