{"id":2611343,"date":"2026-06-05T23:43:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T03:43:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-trump-effect-presidents-presence-turns-nba-into-nfl-at-least-for-a-night\/"},"modified":"2026-06-05T23:43:59","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T03:43:59","slug":"the-trump-effect-presidents-presence-turns-nba-into-nfl-at-least-for-a-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-trump-effect-presidents-presence-turns-nba-into-nfl-at-least-for-a-night\/","title":{"rendered":"The Trump Effect: President&#8217;s Presence Turns NBA into NFL, At Least for a Night"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fthe-trump-effect-presidents-presence-turns-nba-into-nfl-at-least-for-a-night%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2611343&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article argues that the NFL\u2019s dominance in North American pro sports comes from both massive TV viewership-especially the Super Bowl-and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ken-burns-new-documentary-reminds-fans-why-they-love-baseball\/\" title=\"Ken Burns\u2019 New Documentary Reminds Fans Why They Love Baseball\">high <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/twitter-expands-clubhouse-like-audio-chat-feature\/\" title=\"Twitter Expands Clubhouse-Like Audio Chat Feature\">ticket prices<\/a><\/a>. It says the NBA, NHL, and MLB have struggled to close the gap despite rule, viewing, and streaming changes.<\/p>\n<p>It then claims the NBA Finals have briefly overtaken the NFL in ticket-price hype due to President Donald Trump attending Game 3 at Madison Square Garden. The piece notes that \u201cget-in\u201d prices for Game 3 are reported to have surged to $9,130, far above Game 2\u2019s $655 and even higher than the reported minimum for Super Bowl LVIII ($7,413). it adds that Game 4\u2019s reported get-in price is lower than Game 3\u2019s, implying a \u201cTrump effect,\u201d though both games are expected to become more expensive as thay approach.<\/p>\n<p>The article also includes reaction from ESPN host Stephen A.Smith, who says he doesn\u2019t want Trump there because of expected disruption and chaos, and it <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >mentions mixed fan reactions<\/a>, including a Twitter\/X post by \u201cElmo\u201d that angered some Knicks supporters. Game 3 is described as taking place Monday with the Knicks leading 1-0, while Game 4 is slated for Wednesday.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>It goes without saying that with major professional sports in North America, the National Football League is the undisputed king.<\/p>\n<p>(In fact, some could argue that the second biggest \u201cprofessional\u201d sport in America is now college football.)<\/p>\n<p>That crown for the NFL comes from a combination of ratings \u2014 the Super Bowl is more or less the most viewed event every year on television \u2014 and the accompanying exorbitant ticket prices that come along with such demand.<\/p>\n<p>For years now, the NBA, NHL, and MLB have all been trying to play catch-up with the NFL, and have been attempting a myriad of ways to boost both ratings and ticket prices.<\/p>\n<p>From various rule changes to different viewing and streaming options, nothing has meaningfully closed the gap between the NFL and its competitors.<\/p>\n<p>Have these leagues considered just inviting President Donald Trump?<\/p>\n<p>The president, a New Yorker with deep ties to the Empire State, had announced plans to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals, which will be held at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Monday, per <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/outkick-sports\/stephen-smith-begs-trump-attend-nba-finals-game-3-msg-dont-want\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fox News<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Depending on Friday evening\u2019s results, the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs will either head to that game in New York split 1-1, or with New York up 2-0.<\/p>\n<p>The Knicks\u2019 fans, who had suffered through years of mediocrity or worse, were understandably excited, so ticket prices were always going to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-nations-chief-croupier-piers-morgan-blasts-bidens-frenzied-6-trillion-spending-mocks-him-as-santa-claus\/\" title=\"\u2018The Nation\u2019s Chief Croupier\u2019: Piers Morgan Blasts Biden\u2019s \u2018Frenzied\u2019  Trillion Spending, Mocks Him As Santa Claus\">eye-watering<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Throw in the presence of President Donald Trump, and the NBA is suddenly surpassing the NFL in at least one meaningful metric.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/nba\/article\/nba-finals-ticket-prices-get-in-cost-for-game-3-at-msg-surpasses-super-bowl-level-192621682.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yahoo Sports<\/a>, by Friday, get-in ticket prices for Game 3 had soared to $9,130. Game 2 in San Antonio, for comparison, had a get-in price of $655.<\/p>\n<p>That eye-watering figure surpasses the get-in price for Super Bowl LVIII, when the minimum was $7,413.<\/p>\n<p>And there does seem to be a specific Trump effect.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the fact that Game 4 could potentially be the final game of the series, with the Knicks winning their first NBA title since 1973, the get-in price for that game comes in at around $7,805, which is less than Game 3.<\/p>\n<p>Both Game 3 and Game 4 prices will likely increase as the games get closer.<\/p>\n<p>That all being said, not everyone seemed enthused with the idea of Trump attending Game 3.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s coming to Game 3 of the Finals, and I don\u2019t want him there,\u201d ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith said on his radio show, according to Outkick.<\/p>\n<p>He added: \u201cIt has nothing to do with politics, policy, or anything like that. It has everything to do with him disrupting and contributing at the same time to the chaos that\u2019s going to exist at\u00a0Madison Square Garden. If it were Barack Obama coming to the Garden, I would say, \u2018Stay home.\u2019 Stay at the White House.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Emotions are running high for Knicks fans \u2014 which Smith is \u2014 across the board.<\/p>\n<p>As The Athletic pointed out, a number of Knicks fans were furious with Elmo for refusing to root for what is technically his \u201chometown\u201d team.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Elmo, who hails from the fictional Sesame Street located in Manhattan, dared to wish both the Knicks and Spurs good luck in the NBA Finals on Wednesday, writing on X: \u201cElmo hopes both teams have fun!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>New Yorkers had a lot to say: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/LKzgIc4h4Z\">https:\/\/t.co\/LKzgIc4h4Z<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/cNhEAqeBsi\">pic.twitter.com\/cNhEAqeBsi<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 The Athletic (@TheAthletic) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TheAthletic\/status\/2062969559754436752?\">June 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Game 3 of the NBA Finals, featuring Trump, will take place on Monday. Game 4, meanwhile, is slated for Wednesday. The Knicks lead 1-0.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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