NBA set attendance record for 4th straight year, surpassing 22 million for first time

The NBA set an attendance record for the fourth straight season, surpassing 22 million for the first time.

The league said 22.1 million fans attended games in the regular season, eclipsing 21.9 million during the 2016-17 season.

The NBA also announced Thursday a record for average attendance at 17,987, improving from last season's high of 17,884.

The league said it set records for online merchandise sales (up 25 percent from last season) and social media followers (9 percent increase).