OT: Is NFL viewership in a downward spiral?

[Armor and Sword]

I watch the NFL,but various parts of the whole product sucks. The ESPN main studio crew is horrible now. They never should have canned Keyshawn, Cris Carter, Tom Jackson. Randy Moss tries too hard to be funny. I'm really tired of turning on WIP for an Eagles game and finding out every part of the game is commercially sponsored (The CarSense Opening Drive, the Acme First Down, the Nova Care first penalty, The Herr's potato chip sack, - I'm making most of these up but it's constant and annoying). I also find that I have less time for Sunday football. Got kids to raise and a house to maintain. Thursday night and Monday night games suck and should be done away with. Tired of the various good cause campaigns. A whole month of October to wear pink for breast cancer awareness? Is there anyone in the USA not aware of breast cancer by now? Plus the crappy beer sponsors. How about Dogfish Head and New Belgium become sponsors instead?

What is the NFL doing well? London games...really cool and useful to wake up and have a game on at 9:30 AM. Bringing the draft to other cities. NBC Sunday Night Football, usually very watchable.

 

[FanuSanu52]

I watch the NFL,but various parts of the whole product sucks. The ESPN main studio crew is horrible now. They never should have canned Keyshawn, Cris Carter, Tom Jackson. Randy Moss tries too hard to be funny. I'm really tired of turning on WIP for an Eagles game and finding out every part of the game is commercially sponsored (The CarSense Opening Drive, the Acme First Down, the Nova Care first penalty, The Herr's potato chip sack, - I'm making most of these up but it's constant and annoying). I also find that I have less time for Sunday football. Got kids to raise and a house to maintain. Thursday night and Monday night games suck and should be done away with. Tired of the various good cause campaigns. A whole month of October to wear pink for breast cancer awareness? Is there anyone in the USA not aware of breast cancer by now? Plus the crappy beer sponsors. How about Dogfish Head and New Belgium become sponsors instead?

What is the NFL doing well? London games...really cool and useful to wake up and have a game on at 9:30 AM. Bringing the draft to other cities. NBC Sunday Night Football, usually very watchable.

There are a lot of reasons to dislike the NFL, but these ain't among them. Just ridiculous.

 

[retired711]

I never got further than mary jane and I somehow missed the hookers.

 

[ponyfoot19]

When I had less time i.e. married, job and parenting responsibilities I watched a fair amount of sports on tv. Now that I'm retired, I watch very very little. My interest waned when it became more about what happened off the field/court then on it. Free agency, contract disputes, PEDs, controlled substances spousal abuse cases , players trying to put on a show when they get first down or dunk in basketball, etc.and the incessant commercials have turned me off. I'm not in the metro NYC area anymore, so when a NY Giants is on, I'll DVR it and see the game in an hour or so.

 

[mildone]

I never got further than mary jane and I somehow missed the hookers.

I'm sure they miss you too. [winking]

 

[jtung230]

I gave up on the NFL years ago. Too many primadonna's who are overpaid and under produce. I watch college football from kickoff at 11:00 am Central time on Saturday's until I can no longer keep my eyes open on Saturday night.

I don't even turn on the TV on Sundays. The NFL lost me a long time ago.

I assume you don't watch any pro sports.

Blame it on the millennials.

 

[BoogieKnight]

Where can I watch these EPL games? I'm getting a little more into soccer. The NFL blows, I find baseball too slow now and the NBA is defense optional outside of a few teams. I've actually got into the NHL the past 5 years.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

You really want sponsorship logos on the uniforms? That's how they figured it out. Although I would love to see the Preparation H Dallas Cowboy Hemorroid's. Hey you might be onto something.

Here's the thing.. why does everyone in professional sports have to make so much freaking money?

Players want bigger contracts? The money has to come from somewhere.. ticket prices, licensed gear, TV ads, ads inside the stadium... everyone wants bigger pieces year after year after year. If that means you have to change the rules and let the clock run until inside 2 minutes so you can fit the games inside 3 hour windows for predictable ad exposure in all the markets.. do it.

Same thing in college too. Watch that TV on-field producer in the red short that almost looks like an official.. but the officials will all watch him before they whistle the ball is okay to be snapped. Have to get all those ads in.

Why? so we can keep up with the Joneses in TV contract revenues to build better weight rooms and pay coaches millions?

It has been getting nuts for a long time now.

I think baseball is the worst. The billboards inside the stadiums have become quite an eyesore.

Sure euro soccer has ads on the uniforms.. and that can be ugly.. but that is going to happen in the NFL and college eventually.. because demand for more revenue is constant and the options of how to do add revenue is getting fewer... eventually they will cross that bridge and we'll have nasty eyesore billboards, ridiculous number of TV timeouts AND patches on the uniforms.

It is coming.

 

[ashokan]

Here's the thing.. why does everyone in professional sports have to make so much freaking money?

Players want bigger contracts? The money has to come from somewhere.. ticket prices, licensed gear, TV ads, ads inside the stadium... everyone wants bigger pieces year after year after year. .

The problem is that fans keep grabbing their ankles and paying up. The PSL scam was all I needed to know how gullible fans are.

An article from a couple years showed how big a ripoff a game is..

"Here's what it costs to take a family of four to FedEx Field for an NFL game"

A family of four can expect to pay $597.51 in Landover for an NFL game in 2014, a 1.3 percent increase over last year’s average cost, according to TMR.

The average cost for a family of four to attend a Baltimore Ravens game at M&T Bank Stadium is $547.26 — $50.25 cheaper than FedEx. Baltimore’s average amount is unchanged from 2013.

Both are above the league average, which is $479.11 — a 4.1 percent increase over last year."


http://www.bizjournals.com/washingt...hat-it-costs-to-take-a-family-of-four-to.html

 

[R1776U]

god i love watching games just on tv... poopie ain't gonna change till the majority of people start speaking with their wallets and if carrier fees increase.. well goodbye cable!

 

[BABYBULL24]

People waking up to the Roman Bread and Circuses...not hard to figure out.

When the empire goes to poopie and the leaders saying everything is fine go back to sleep and lay 5dimes on the Bears...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_and_circuses

 

[retired711]

The problem is that fans keep grabbing their ankles and paying up. The PSL scam was all I needed to know how gullible fans are.

An article from a couple years showed how big a ripoff a game is..

"Here's what it costs to take a family of four to FedEx Field for an NFL game"

A family of four can expect to pay $597.51 in Landover for an NFL game in 2014, a 1.3 percent increase over last year’s average cost, according to TMR.

The average cost for a family of four to attend a Baltimore Ravens game at M&T Bank Stadium is $547.26 — $50.25 cheaper than FedEx. Baltimore’s average amount is unchanged from 2013.

Both are above the league average, which is $479.11 — a 4.1 percent increase over last year."


http://www.bizjournals.com/washingt...hat-it-costs-to-take-a-family-of-four-to.html

I've never heard anyone object to the money that other entertainers (actors, singers, etc.) make, so why single out sports? I doubt that it's the salaries that are pushing prices up; it's rather supply and demand. People want to sit in those seats even if they have to pay what I think are outrageous prices. Thanks to TV, the owners are making *plenty* of money and are rarely strained by the payroll.

I think there is a tendency to want to believe that pro athletes are not motivated at all by money. But why should they be different from the rest of us?

 

[rurichdog]

Billboards in a stadium we can deal with. It's being told to stop & stare at an advertisement for 3 minutes every stoppage in play.

 

[ruready07]

I pay enough attention to the NFL to fill out my fantasy roster every week, also will pay attention and watch the Giants and Jets. Come December when the regular College season ends, I pay even more attention. NFL playoffs are great, IMO, wish College had an expanded playoffs too, say 8-12 teams. They are missing out on a lot of revenue.

Abro, for me, football has been ruined by the full out attempt at maximizing revenue at every turn. It is happening to college football as well and is a very big turnoff for football purists. Come on man, you're a Montclair guy aren't you? The day woodman field got grass was a sad day in NJ football..
$9 sodas, mandatory seat donations, glitzy recruiting pavilions.. Just play the game. The NFL lost me a while ago

 

[ashokan]

I've never heard anyone object to the money that other entertainers (actors, singers, etc.) make, so why single out sports? I doubt that it's the salaries that are pushing prices up; it's rather supply and demand. People want to sit in those seats even if they have to pay what I think are outrageous prices. Thanks to TV, the owners are making *plenty* of money and are rarely strained by the payroll.

I think there is a tendency to want to believe that pro athletes are not motivated at all by money. But why should they be different from the rest of us?

If people are willing to get gouged the healthy balance suffers. Once example of that is too many commercials. TV nets need to make their billions back so you get constant interruptions. Then, with all the money involved, many plays and penalties becomes like life and death and you need endless reviews and conference calls to HQ. With players making many millions they want to avoid injuries and cut back on practices - which may even lead to more injuries. Players are more tempted to do PEDs. With impatient fans shelling out thousands of dollars teams have less patience to stay with coaches more than a few years. Staff is constantly churning and players are constantly moving. We root for laundry.

NFL ignores fan complaints because they are spoiled. The suckers keep on sucking. I don't blame players and NFL for ripping people off - its the people who pay too much that cause league to have contempt for them. Baseball fans helped ruin baseball because despite all the strikes and steroids people kept paying. NFL now seems determined to drive itself into a ditch. With so much money and influence a lot of hustlers are happy to help them (pirate lawers, political agitators etc)

On another note - college football ratings are high so the "election" is an excuse for NFL

 

[TM514]

I don;t like Thursday night and the players sure don't like it either, playing on 3 days rest. The Thursday night NFL has detracted from ESPN College Thursday night feature games which IMO were becoming must see TV. Now an afterthought. The Thursday night game has also ruined the marque nature and mystic of Monday Night Football. Speaking of which, Sean McDonough is awful annoucer, too bad the other announcer left.

Also, flex scheduling can interfere with fans attending games. NFL Fans travel well and imaging having hotel/flight plans impacted by a change to 8pm Sunday night.

 

[RUaMoose]

The problem is that fans keep grabbing their ankles and paying up. The PSL scam was all I needed to know how gullible fans are.

An article from a couple years showed how big a ripoff a game is..

"Here's what it costs to take a family of four to FedEx Field for an NFL game"

A family of four can expect to pay $597.51 in Landover for an NFL game in 2014, a 1.3 percent increase over last year’s average cost, according to TMR.

The average cost for a family of four to attend a Baltimore Ravens game at M&T Bank Stadium is $547.26 — $50.25 cheaper than FedEx. Baltimore’s average amount is unchanged from 2013.

Both are above the league average, which is $479.11 — a 4.1 percent increase over last year."


http://www.bizjournals.com/washingt...hat-it-costs-to-take-a-family-of-four-to.html

PSLs are "investments"..LOL. That's Goodell for you. Feed them sh!t and they'll like it. Well, apparently they do.

 

[miketd1]

Eagles had a 1 o'clock game. DVR'd the whole thing.

Took the family pumpkin picking. Prayed I wouldn't overhear anything related to the game.

Stayed off social media. Even played Pandora in the car to avoid any news updates.

Got home & showered the kids. Popped a beer. Gunned through the whole game in about 30 minutes.

I didn't even finish my beer.

Maybe I'll devote one day to football at the stadium per year.

That's it.

Too many other things competing for time and money.

PS: I'd probably feel different if I were still single.

 

[EPC FAN]

Reports say fewer people are watching NFL football. I'm not in the least surprised.

I love the actual football. The best of the best players competing in a colorful, tactical, violent winner-take-all controlled war.

But this war has a zillion boring, repetitive commercial ads interrupting the action every three minutes on average.

European soccer has avoided this greed-induced suicide. Forty-five minute periods of soccer action uninterrupted by commercials is so much more enjoyable to watch.

I worry that college football will suffer the same fate as the NFL, loss of viewer interest, before long.

How much is Red Zone hurting the NFL? Fantasy players can see all the touchdowns and impact action there, without actually watching any one game.

 

[yesrutgers01]

There are many reasons but a protest is not one of them. If that is keeping you away from watching NFL, it is just a convenient excuse.

There are just too many games on during the week. Football always thrived because you pretty much only had a day during the week where you could watch a game except for Monday Night Football.
Then you have the seat licenses. They drove tickets out of the hands of loyal fans.
And then they drove prices to game to be so unreasonable. And most of that cost is not because of player salary. NFL makes SOOOOO much money, salaries are just a small drop in the bucket.

For me, my interest in the NFL disappeared when The Jaguars were playing the Giants and my neighbor, who knew Kevin from the time he was a little kid, and happily accepted tickets to the game, looked me squarely in the face on game day how I could possible wear Jaguar gear and root for our beloved Giants to lose...

 

[ScarletRunner]

I agree but IMO the NBA has come around. I was very down on it from 2005 ish til maybe two years ago. All this stuff is cyclical.

I feel the same. The NBA was a wasteland for a while post-Jordan, but IMO is compelling again (and yes, probably largely because of LeBron).

 

[GeorgeStreet]

Any sport, pro or college, that relies on TV viewers like me cannot keep trying to kill the golden goose with a zillion boring, annoying, repetitive commercial interruptions. That will not end well.

 

[ashokan]

There are many reasons but a protest is not one of them. If that is keeping you away from watching NFL, it is just a convenient excuse.

..

Of course the protests are a HUGE reason. The NFL sucked last year too with regard to many of the complaints listed here - there was no drop. Now suddenly there is a substantial drop in NFL viewing (when CFB isn't doing the same) as players protest the flag/anthem. Of course they are related and polls show it.


"A new survey of Americans who identify themselves as football fans found that a majority of them have been watching fewer pro games this year because they are sick of seeing the San Francisco 49ers quarterback and other athletes refusing to stand for the national anthem.

A whopping 40 percent of the 1,136 people questioned in the Yahoo/YouGov poll said they were turned off by the protests, while another 31 percent cited a “lack of opportunity” to watch the NFL.

In total, 29 percent of the fans said they were tuning in less this year — which some believe is due to the presidential election.

But just 17 percent of those surveyed said that was actually the reason they weren’t watching.

As for the people who are up in arms over Kaepernick’s refusal to stand, more than half of the respondents were age 55 and over, while only 13 percent were age 18 to 34.

And it’s not just football fans who are peeved.

In similar polls involving the other three major professional sports, 17 percent of NBA fans said they would watch fewer games if they involved similar protests, 28 percent of baseball fans said they too would stop watching, and 31 percent of hockey fans said they would as well."

Viewers ditch NFL over anthem protests
http://nypost.com/2016/10/20/anthem-protests-are-sinking-the-nfls-tv-ratings-poll-shows/

 

[yesrutgers01]

Of course the protests are a HUGE reason. The NFL sucked last year too with regard to many of the complaints listed here - there was no drop. Now suddenly there is a substantial drop in NFL viewing (when CFB isn't doing the same) as players protest the flag/anthem. Of course they are related and polls show it.


"A new survey of Americans who identify themselves as football fans found that a majority of them have been watching fewer pro games this year because they are sick of seeing the San Francisco 49ers quarterback and other athletes refusing to stand for the national anthem.

A whopping 40 percent of the 1,136 people questioned in the Yahoo/YouGov poll said they were turned off by the protests, while another 31 percent cited a “lack of opportunity” to watch the NFL.

In total, 29 percent of the fans said they were tuning in less this year — which some believe is due to the presidential election.

But just 17 percent of those surveyed said that was actually the reason they weren’t watching.

As for the people who are up in arms over Kaepernick’s refusal to stand, more than half of the respondents were age 55 and over, while only 13 percent were age 18 to 34.

And it’s not just football fans who are peeved.

In similar polls involving the other three major professional sports, 17 percent of NBA fans said they would watch fewer games if they involved similar protests, 28 percent of baseball fans said they too would stop watching, and 31 percent of hockey fans said they would as well."

Viewers ditch NFL over anthem protests
http://nypost.com/2016/10/20/anthem-protests-are-sinking-the-nfls-tv-ratings-poll-shows/

I don't recall watching the National Anthem much on TV...
And if that is the case, it really shows how pathetic many fans are...they didn't drop viewer ship with rapests, murderers, drunk driving, abuse but a non violent protest finally gets to them...

 

[topdecktiger]

There are just too many games on during the week. Football always thrived because you pretty much only had a day during the week where you could watch a game except for Monday Night Football.
Then you have the seat licenses. They drove tickets out of the hands of loyal fans.
And then they drove prices to game to be so unreasonable. And most of that cost is not because of player salary. NFL makes SOOOOO much money, salaries are just a small drop in the bucket.

All that stuff has been going on for a long time. It didn't just happen this year.

 

[BoogieKnight]

The product sucks. Games are cookie cutter. Officials play too big a role in deciding the outcome. Execution is sloppy. And what pro rivalry excites anyone anymore? Giants/Cowboys was great 5-10 years ago but that's fallen off. Pitt and Baltimore isn't what it used to be. Bears have blown for a while so Packers/Bears isn't what it once was. Then you have the off field garbage where even place kickers are beating women now.

But play more games in London...that will solve everything.

 

[RU_Planning]

I think part of the problem is a hangover from last season. You had a team challenge for 16-0 and an all-time great (Manning) have a roller coaster season to a super bowl victory on his way to retirement. If anything those two factors hid the issues summarized in this thread regarding sloppiness, officiating and too many games.

 

[miketd1]

The NFL can't control what players do off the field.

I think many of us realize there are bad people of all colors all over the place. That's life.

But we turn to entertainment like football games to get away from it all -- to momentarily forget all our troubles and just purposely get caught up in the amusement and drama of sport.

The games cease being an outlet when they start mimicking the drama of "real" life.

 

[jonS]

This election is taking a big bite out of football. The news channels are all up over 30% viewership.
However for me personally for the past 10 years or so the rule changes against defenses, the lack of using running backs...pass happy format has killed the pro game. And as much of you like Madden, real games shouldn't be played that way. Because in the end in both college and pros. More often than not it's the teams that run the ball and play great D win it all.

I agree 100% with your comments. For me it's the pass happy offenses and the inability to stop anything that has made the game boring. The short pass has replaced the running game. The days of top running games has all but disappeared. The rules need to change so DBs can play more aggressively than they do currently. Also the quality of the QB play has deterioriated due in part to all the spread offenses in colleges with fewer top QBs entering the NFL.

 

[yesrutgers01]

All that stuff has been going on for a long time. It didn't just happen this year.

Exactly my point. We have had murderers, rapest, child abuse, manslaughter(drunk driving) and this didn't turn anyone away but non violent protest will. That is sad.
On the other hand, I don't believe this is the cause of viewership going down.

 

[Nihilist Rodgers]

Not sure whether it's temporary or a trend.....I don't mind the commercials as much....what I think hurts and erodes the play comes down to the greed of the owners with too low of a salary cap and a 53 man roster...if you have a couple of injuries, you wind up playing rookies or players that are not as good....There's no way an NBA role player or complimentary player like JR Smith or Jeremy Lin should be making 12-13M a year (Smith) or Lin should be at 8M, if compared to a top NFL player.

If the rosters were expanded (maybe to 60-62 players) and the cap was doubled, teams would be able to keep their core players, develop role players and pay them and keep the fans interested, where the bulk of the players can start and end their careers with one team. Right now, teams keep players based on cost first....younger is cheaper and not always better.

couldn't agree more... 70 per roster with 6 ST only guys.. really up the quality of play and keep a single injury from devastating a team.-sg

 

[FanuSanu52]

I feel the same. The NBA was a wasteland for a while post-Jordan, but IMO is compelling again (and yes, probably largely because of LeBron).

I found it more compelling when it wasn't dominated by a single player or two ... or groups of superstars teamed up to pile away championships. There were actual teams then .. San Antonio, Detroit, etc.

 

[Caliknight]

Of course the protests are a HUGE reason. The NFL sucked last year too with regard to many of the complaints listed here - there was no drop. Now suddenly there is a substantial drop in NFL viewing (when CFB isn't doing the same) as players protest the flag/anthem. Of course they are related and polls show it.


"A new survey of Americans who identify themselves as football fans found that a majority of them have been watching fewer pro games this year because they are sick of seeing the San Francisco 49ers quarterback and other athletes refusing to stand for the national anthem.

A whopping 40 percent of the 1,136 people questioned in the Yahoo/YouGov poll said they were turned off by the protests, while another 31 percent cited a “lack of opportunity” to watch the NFL.

In total, 29 percent of the fans said they were tuning in less this year — which some believe is due to the presidential election.

But just 17 percent of those surveyed said that was actually the reason they weren’t watching.

As for the people who are up in arms over Kaepernick’s refusal to stand, more than half of the respondents were age 55 and over, while only 13 percent were age 18 to 34.

And it’s not just football fans who are peeved.

In similar polls involving the other three major professional sports, 17 percent of NBA fans said they would watch fewer games if they involved similar protests, 28 percent of baseball fans said they too would stop watching, and 31 percent of hockey fans said they would as well."

Viewers ditch NFL over anthem protests
http://nypost.com/2016/10/20/anthem-protests-are-sinking-the-nfls-tv-ratings-poll-shows/

Sort of anecdotal, but when I called and cancelled Sunday ticket and cited the "protests" as a reason why, the representative said she had gotten a lot of cancellations for that reason. It's not the only reason, but it is definitely part of it.

 

[yesrutgers01]

Sort of anecdotal, but when I called and cancelled Sunday ticket and cited the "protests" as a reason why, the representative said she had gotten a lot of cancellations for that reason. It's not the only reason, but it is definitely part of it.

Then that is foolish. Stop watching SF if it bothers you that much. Did you stop watching movies when actors started using the awards to give their political or personal views?

 

[Caliknight]

Then that is foolish. Stop watching SF if it bothers you that much. Did you stop watching movies when actors started using the awards to give their political or personal views?

It isn't just SF. Numerous other players on a number of other teams are doing it. Hell, Espn was keeping track of it every week on their front page. Yea, if there is someone I think is a moron, I won't support them by watching their movies. That's a great example and Sean Penn comes to mind. There are others.

These players are free to protest whatever they want, though I would argue they are on work time and it's inappropriate.

Just as I am free to not have to pay for it or watch it. It's really that simple. But since you ask, it's been really refreshing. Opens up a full day to do other things I am interested in. I don't miss it at all. Been watching more soccer when I do watch sports on Sunday, which I am enjoying even more than I was football.

 

[BoogieKnight]

Sort of anecdotal, but when I called and cancelled Sunday ticket and cited the "protests" as a reason why, the representative said she had gotten a lot of cancellations for that reason. It's not the only reason, but it is definitely part of it.

I would tell them the reason for MY cancellation is the greed of Goodell and the owners which has come at the expense of making a mockery of the game I used to watch growing up in the 80's and 90's. Started with free agency and the cap. Then you couldn't touch WR's or hit anyone too hard. Now 30+yard extra point attempts? Taking home games away from teams to play in a country that WILL ALWAYS revere futbol over football?!? TV shows that discuss fantasy football strategies?!?!? In addition to the 200+ pre and post game shows with 50 analysts each talking about the same thing every week?Thursday night football. Sunday morning football. What's next? A 3AM time slot to go up against softcore porn? Playing games in Antarctica? On the moon?!?!? It's over saturation. It is madness.

I seriously may hate the NFL now more than I ever hated the NBA and that says a lot. Haven't been to an NBA game in 15 years but I gotta say this Silver dude impresses me and I like his vision for the league.

 

[RU_Planning]

Seems like more folks are appaulled by a few guys kneeling than NFL coverup / looking the other way of a psychotic kicker abusing his wife. Good job.... unbelievable.

 

[miketd1]

Planning: I said it earlier -- we watch games to take our mind off "life" and all its troubles/stressors.

Making football political takes away from that.

Imagine being forced to watch 2 minutes of political ads before every game. It's basically the same thing.

 

[RU_Planning]

Planning: I said it earlier -- we watch games to take our mind off "life" and all its troubles/stressors.

Making football political takes away from that.

Imagine being forced to watch 2 minutes of political ads before every game. It's basically the same thing.

I watch football to watch football. I almost never see the national anthem on TV other than before the Super Bowl.

I tend to ignore commercials so I don't even know if there are political ads shown or not. I imagine some are shown this time of year.

It doesn't make any sense to me that someone doing something that is their right is reason enough to stop watching a sport one claims to enjoy. It's beyond absurd.

I watch less football because the product is mediocre.

 

[delaynomore]

There are myriad reasons. The bottom line is viewers are leaving and they aren't coming back and the NFL has only themselves to blame.