NBA fans in New York will not be treated to Kobe Bryant or Allen Iverson on Sunday afternoon, but instead to another high profile figure.
In a move that could put a serious dent in ABC’s NBA ratings, WABC in New York will not air Sunday afternoon’s Nuggets/Lakers playoff game, in favor of coverage of Pope Benedict the 16th’s visit to the city.
Losing the largest market in the country can only have a negative impact on ABC’s ratings, which increased during the regular season. One obvious consolation for the network is the fact that the second largest market in the nation, Los Angeles, has a vested interest in the game.
While WABC will not air Nuggets/Lakers, fans in New York can still catch the game on ESPN2. And those without cable will not be completely shut out of playoff action; WABC will air Suns/Spurs on Saturday.
