For the past few years, the NFL and NBA have battled for Christmas attention. Football has gained an edge with games streamed on Netflix, though the NBA hit historic numbers last season. The Golden State Warriors versus the LA Lakers matchup became the most-watched regular-season game since 2019. With the leagues set to clash again, Draymond Green has made it clear he is fine letting the NFL own the holiday spotlight.

Green will take part in his 11th Christmas Day game when the Warriors take on the Dallas Mavericks at the Chase Center. He considers it a privilege, with the opportunity only arising for a few teams capable of drawing audiences. At the same time, Green, at the twilight of his career, would much rather open presents with his kids.

One of his favorite memories is from 2023, when the Warriors played the Nuggets in Denver on Christmas Day. He was serving a 12-game suspension at the time for striking Jusuf Nurkic, so he was at home. “That was great. It was actually f—–g amazing,” Green told ESPN. “Usually it’s weird because Christmas Day is not like what you remember as a kid, where you spend with your family. We’ve been on the road [five times, once when Green was suspended]. I know my 5-year-old’s first Christmas, I was gone.”

Even though Green is one of the biggest names consistently playing on Christmas Day, he’d rather stay at home. “As an NBA player, you want to be on that stage — marquee games and everybody’s watching. But as a human, it f—–g sucks, if I’m honest,” he added.

That’s where he sees the NFL’s Christmas Day tradition since 2020 as a gift. The sports audience is equally invested in marquee football matchups as it is in watching the NBA’s highly-anticipated games. So, Green has a request from them.

“… I absolutely loved as a kid watching NBA games on Christmas Day. Kobe Bryant and the white [Lakers] jerseys. I loved [Shaquille O’Neal]. … But the NFL has started having games on Christmas Day, so maybe they take Christmas over and we go home,” Green further told ESPN.

LeBron James also expressed how he would much rather sit on the couch with his family to enjoy the holiday. But what does the viewership say? Is it logical for the NFL to take the Christmas crown just like they have Thanksgiving?

How do the NFL and NBA Christmas Day numbers compare?

We will look at last season’s numbers to understand just how vast the difference is. Yes, it is a sizeable disparity where the NFL actually leads despite having three fewer games than the NBA. Last season, the Chiefs met the Steelers on one end, while the Ravens clashed against the Texans. Those two encounters generated 65 million viewers across the world. Just like that, they became the two most-streamed NFL games in US history.

On the other hand, the NBA didn’t have a bad day either. Lakers vs Warriors was an absolute thriller. On average, the five-game slate attracted 5.25 million viewers, the NBA’s best Christmas performance in five years. However, the disparity is clear, but also justified.

The NFL has a partnership with Netflix, the biggest streaming giant in the world. Furthermore, all a person needs is a Netflix subscription to watch the games. On the other hand, the NBA has a variety of media partners, but fans have to pay separately in order to watch the games. But will the viewership disparity see the NBA abandon Christmas? Sorry, Draymond Green, but that’s not happening.

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The NBA just signed a mega TV rights deal. Hence, they are obligated to make the most out of every game that’s broadcast. Not only that, but Christmas is the day most people are at home, enjoying some hot chocolate and craving sports. For a business, it’s the time to capitalize and not sit back. So both leagues will keep their traditions going.

After all, it’s a win for both as they attract historic viewership each year. Best believe the NBA isn’t about to give up Christmas when it was theirs to begin with.