The NFL opened its 2017 season Thursday night, in much the same way that it played out the 2016 season. The game featured the team that won the final game of the year last season, the game was high-scoring with plenty of offense, the game featured an anthem protest, and the league’s ratings went down. The game between the Chiefs and the Patriots drew a 14.6 overnight rating on NBC. That rating is down nearly two full points from last year’s 16.5 number for the Panthers-Broncos opener, and more than three points down from the Steelers-Patriots opener in 2015. Why, the steep decline? While the ratings have clearly trended down for a number of seasons, last night’s game did feature an anthem protest from Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters, and it’s entirely likely that many tuned-out after seeing that:
The sports media would gladly point the finger at politics, as the cause of the ratings drop. Though, no debate, or matter of pressing national importance was being discussed in politics on Thursday night. Some have opined that coverage of Hurricane Irma, might be the culprit. Though, it rings hollow that coverage of the storm would cause a 12% decline in ratings from last year. Instead, it’s more likely that NFL fans are following through on their warnings of last year. Specifically, the warning where 44% of fans said they would stop watching the NFL if the anthem protests continued. That poll, backed-up by the J.D. Power survey which showed that most fans cited the anthem protests as the main reason for why they stopped watching the league, might have a lot more to do with the ratings drop than Irma. |
Poster Comment:
#1: Tooconservative To: All (#0)
RedAlertPolitics.com:
While it’s largely seen as taboo in the NFL to get political, it’s actually encouraged for basketball players to get active and pursue social justice.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the National Basketball Association (NBA) commissioner Adam Silver and the National Basketball Players Association executive director Michele Roberts are pushing players to speak their mind on politics and social issues.
In the letter obtained by ESPN, Silver and Roberts told players, “None of us operates in a vacuum. Critical issues that affect our society also impact you directly. Fortunately, you are not only the world’s greatest basketball players — you have real power to make a difference in the world, and we want you know that the Players Association and the League are always available to help you figure out the most meaningful way to make that difference.”
The letter also praised players for their work in NBA communities, Basketball Without Borders events, and Hurricane Harvey fundraising efforts.
Tooconservative posted on 2017-09-10 00:23:19 Reply Private Reply
#2: Hank Rearden To: Tooconservative (#1)
Hank Rearden posted on 2017-09-10 16:13:05 Reply Private Reply
#3: Tooconservative To: Hank Rearden (#2)
Perhaps they think the NBA audience won't care as much as the NFL audiences. NFL gets the big bucks with the huge network deals, the NBA not so much. So maybe NBA honchos just don't think it has the potential to blow up on them the way it did with the NFL.
Tooconservative posted on 2017-09-10 16:26:59 Reply Private Reply
#4: Justified To: Tooconservative (#1)
I find I get more done around the house! ;)
Justified posted on 2017-09-10 18:46:22 Reply Private Reply
#5: Stoner To: Hank Rearden (#2)
I have to say that most of those that follow that strongly, are usually as dumb as a sack of hammers.
Stoner posted on 2017-09-10 23:24:01 Reply Private Reply
#6: nolu chan To: Tooconservative (#0)
nolu chan posted on 2017-09-11 17:34:38 Reply Private Reply
#7: Tooconservative To: nolu chan (#6)
If NFL football looks like it is going the way of boxing (sharp and permanent decline), they may take action. Or they may think they can just ride it out. Or they may consider that they should just go down with the ship. They are all, after all, billionaires.
Tooconservative posted on 2017-09-11 19:30:11 Reply Private Reply
#8: IbJensen To: Tooconservative (#0)
NBA could be in trouble too if a height limit is placed on those giraffes. Or, if it would be forced to integrate.
That leaves baseball, which is the only pro sport I pay attention to anymore.
IbJensen posted on 2017-09-12 10:52:56 Reply Private Reply
#9: IbJensen To: nolu chan (#6)
IbJensen posted on 2017-09-12 10:54:00 Reply Private Reply
#10: nolu chan To: Tooconservative (#7)
Goodell is afraid of social media backlash. Kaepernick opted out of his contract and now can't find an owner that will touch him. When enough fans show up for games disguised as empty seats, and enough money must be given back to advertisers, the owners will set Goodell on their chosen path or set him on a different career path.
Viewership tanked for the Patriots game.
nolu chan posted on 2017-09-12 16:56:49 Reply Private Reply
#11: Tooconservative To: nolu chan (#10)
That surprised me a little but it wasn't a home game, I think. And the Patriots and their fans are pretty hated by everyone. Which they seem to thoroughly enjoy.
Hell, checking again, I see it was a home game for the Patriots.
Tooconservative posted on 2017-09-12 19:51:31 Reply Private Reply