The phenomenon Victor Wembanyama goes beyond the scope of basketball and this double meeting of the “NBA Paris Games” demonstrates it once again. The Spurs' rising star is only 21 years old, and he brings with him a growing community, some of whose members have never before been interested in basketball. While waiting for his next exploit, the figures are there to confirm the trend: “Wembamania” is only just beginning.
The NBA has shared some figures to illustrate this impact on French soil. We understand better why Paris and especially the presence of Spurs has become an obligatory passage for the North American league, as the French market is in turmoil.
To begin with, the first match between the Spurs and the Pacers was the most watched NBA match in France, and that's without counting those who watched the match on beIN Sports. Tickets for both games were sold out in less than 24 hours, and the lucky holders came from 53 different countries, which is a new record for an NBA event.
When “Wemby” boosts the League Pass
Subscriptions for League Pass have progressed well (+36% compared to the previous year) and the Spurs are the most watched team on French soil. The number of Spurs matches watched in France since Victor Wembanyama's first match has soared compared to the last two years: +233%.
And inevitably, the most watched match on League Pass in France was the 2024 “Christmas Game” between the Spurs and the Knicks. Victor Wembanyama also put on a show (42 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks) even if it was New York who won.
At the “digital” and marketing level, “Wemby” is also already among the most followed, with 735 million views generated on NBA social networks, just behind Stephen Curry (737 million) and LeBron James (1.04 billion). His dunk against the Celtics on December 31, 2023 has also been viewed 247 million times on the networks. It is the second most viewed video in the history of the league's social networks.
When it comes to the sale of jerseys, it is again in a very good position: number 1 in France, number 2 in Europe (behind LeBron James) and number 5 in the world.
The ultimate “2K” player
The NBA 2K video game is also a strong witness to this “Wembamania”. 2K Sports reports that the game has seen more “active unique players” (Daily Active Users) over the last two years in France (+17% then +30%), i.e. since the arrival of Victor Wembanyama in the NBA.
Obviously, the Spurs are first in line to benefit from his aura. Here again, the figures are impressive. Worldwide, the number of Spurs matches selected for Play Now Online increased by 61% compared to last season, and 517% compared to the previous season, when Spurs were one of the worst teams in the league. In France, we are looking at +107% for the 2023/24 season.
2K Sports was also able to take the temperature of the MyCareer mode, where the Spurs were regularly more selected (+106% worldwide, +91% in France). Worldwide, Spurs have also been chosen nearly two million times as the starting franchise in “My Team” mode. In this same mode, Victor Wembanyama has already been aligned in a major five more than a million times.
| Victor Wembanyama | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | SAN | 71 | 30 | 46.5 | 32.5 | 79.6 | 2.3 | 8.4 | 10.6 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 21.4 |
| 2024-25 | SAN | 37 | 33 | 47.7 | 35.4 | 84.5 | 1.8 | 9.0 | 10.8 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 24.6 |
| Total | 108 | 31 | 46.9 | 33.8 | 80.9 | 2.1 | 8.6 | 10.7 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 22.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
