This is not entirely a surprise as the “hype” is immense around Victor Wembanyama. Nevertheless, the Frenchman’s first career match kept its promises and worked very well in terms of audiences. More than the opening matches, although tempting on paper, for example.
The meeting between the Spurs and the Mavericks, broadcast on ESPN Wednesday evening, in fact attracted more than 2.9 million viewers, with a peak of 3.9 million at the start of the meeting. It’s even the most followed opening match on ESPN since 2012.
Victor Wembanyama blows up League Pass in France
To compare with other highly anticipated rookies, LeBron James’ first match on ESPN in October 2003 had recorded 3.03 million viewers, and that of Zion Williamson, in January 2020 and still on ESPN, 2.36 million people.
The Victor Wembanyama effect is not only visible in the United States since the NBA also indicates that the League Pass audience has exploded in France: 220% increase (i.e. more than tripled) compared to the average from last season!
It must be said that the League Pass is free for a weekand now is the time to take advantage…
