When LeBron James described NFL team owners as having a “slave mentality” on Friday, it was his bluntest public swipe to date. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced the new protocol without consulting the NFL Player’s Association, which sparked furore among players, and thus the policy lasted just two months before being canned. James’ comments highlighted the division of the NFL and the unity of the NBA and, underneath, the data shows the two leagues going in opposite directions. It’s part of the reason some NBA teams have garnered online followings into the tens of millions. Taking into account followers from Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, NBA teams dominate the NFL’s.

Source: The Guardian December 26, 2018 09:00 UTC