re: Game 1 NBA Finals loses half the audience of 2019 number

It's a combination of things.

1. Games without fans feel weird. They are less exciting, less interesting for casual viewers.

2. Every sport competing with every other sport means people are going to focus more on their favorite. They are spread out normally for a reason.

3. The political grandstanding has certainly not helped. Most people want an escape from the madness that's going on in the world, not to be beat over the head with it.

4. Finally, interest in organized professional sports is shrinking heavily in the younger demo in the US, for many reasons.