By Halley Mackiernan
All-Star Weekends and Pro Bowls were created to be the crown jewel of sports entertainment – a weekend filled with remarkable talent, high-stakes competition, and moments fans wouldn’t wasn’t to miss. So why did this year’s NBA All-Star Game and NFL Pro Bowl Games resemble an awkward family reunion no one wants to attend?
The defense was non-existent, players barely broke a sweat, and fans wondered why they even bothered to watch. What was supposed to be a showcase of competitive, high-performing sports games became a boring exhibition game that showed little if any honor towards the leagues and its remarkable stars.
And fans have noticed. Viewership for both events declined significantly from previous years, with the 2025 NBA All-Star Game experiencing a 13% decrease in viewership compared to the 2024 game and the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games hitting the lowest live audience since the 2021 “virtual” edition.
Meanwhile, the NHL cracked the code. This February, the NHL debuted the 4 Nations Face-Off, a mini-tournament featuring top hockey players from the U.S., Canada, Sweden, and Finland. What made it so successful? They actually gave their athletes something worth playing for – National pride. And because the players cared, fans followed suit.
Where is the Motivation?
The cause of the current NBA All-Star and NFL Pro Bowl problem is clear – they don’t offer their players a real incentive. With players only having guaranteed contracts and the risk of injury on their minds, it makes sense that they are hesitant to play their hardest. They are preserving their talent and athleticism for the moments that truly matter. But when you lack competitiveness in a televised sports game, the product is bound to suffer.
This year’s NBA All-Star Game was criticized heavily by sports fans as defense was practically illegal, and scoring records were broken in the least exciting way possible. Even the league’s own stars admitted it was hard to take the game seriously, including Draymond Green, who told ESPN that the new format for this year’s game was a “zero on a 1-to-10 scale” and “sucked.”
The NFL Pro Bowl faced similar critiques. With the game being recently reduced to a flag football game and a few skills contests, it feels more like a reality TV show than a sporting competition.
Bring Out the Stakes
What the NHL discovered – and what the NBA and NFL still need to find – is that athletes will put in effort if they have something bigger to play for. Pride, legacy, bragging rights. Make it more about money and entertainment; the athletes will commit.
Imagine if, instead of pointless skills challenges and effortless pick-up games during the NBA All-Star Game, the league introduced a Team USA vs. Team World All-Star Game. They could have Nikola Jokic, Luke Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo leading an international team against top USA players, such as LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant. No one can tell me that doesn’t scream instant drama, trash talk, and actual effort. It becomes a game with legitimate stakes instead of just a show.
For the NFL, The Pro Bowl Game could also encompass a USA vs. The World concept. This would give international football stars like Chuba Hubbard and Moro Ojomo a chance to prove themselves against America’s best football talent. Sure, the U.S. would be favored – but that idea could improve the game’s drama. The opportunity for upsets, rivalries, and motivation. That’s how entertaining sports games are created.
Evidence to Back It Up
The NHL 4 Nations Face off is not the first time national pride fueled unforgettable sports moments. The 2023 World Baseball Classic First Round experienced a +564% increase in total engagements across its social media accounts and broke an attendance record, with a +98% increase from the previous record in 2017.
Similarly, Olympic basketball continues to embrace full effort from NBA athletes, even during the offseason. Wonder why? Because they get to represent their country and compete for something that actually matters.
Don’t Let the Legacy Die
Sure, the logistics of the games still need some help. Deciding timing based on season, dealing with health concerns, and player availability are valid components that must be discussed in more depth. However, this year, the NHL made certain that a more compelling and successful product is realistic. If the NHL was able to hold such an event, the NBA and NFL should have little problems pulling it off too.
The NBA All-Star Game and NFL Pro Bowl Game used to mean something. People would want to watch the most talented players across the league compete outside of the competition included in the regular seasons. That excitement is fading fast.
If the NBA and NFL want to regain this excitement, they need to look at a new format that includes giving their players something extra to play for and their fans something more to care about. They need to embrace a greater level of competition and rivalry and feed the passions of their audience.
If they don’t make these changes soon, people won’t talk about how last year’s Pro Bowl or NBA All-Star Game was so lame they can’t believe they watched. They will be talking about how they can’t believe the games were so bad that they had to be eliminated entirely.