Clark weighs in on NBA ratings: Fans may want 'more beef and physicality'

Caitlin Clark has her own theory on why the NBA is experiencing a decline in television ratings this season.

The Indiana Fever star shared her thoughts on the subject while appearing on the "New Heights" podcast with Travis and Jason Kelce, suggesting fans may want to see a more physical brand of basketball.

"Honestly, I feel like the average basketball fan doesn't understand how good NBA players are, and they think it looks like they're not trying," Clark said. "I promise you, they are trying, they are ... so good, that's why it looks like they're not trying.

"And, obviously, the physicality of the league has changed a lot. And I wasn't around when it was much more physical, and maybe people want more beef and physicality and people think it's gotten soft. But I think that's also because the skill has just changed."

She continued: "That's what's great about basketball, it's always evolving. It's gonna be different from when MJ played, it's gonna be different in 10 years, and it is now."

Clark also attributed the NBA's ratings decline to the NFL and college football.

"It's competing against a lot of football right now, you have to take that into consideration," she said. "Football is just ... that's America's favorite thing."

While ratings have been down overall, the NBA did generate big viewership numbers on Christmas Day. An average of 5.34 million viewers in the United States tuned into the games, giving the NBA its most-watched Christmas slate in five years.