NFL viewership down 17%....Half empty stadiums.

[NoleAPath]

Stunning, but it appears the NFL is killing the golden goose...between the anger of many fans that NFL players are kneeling, or sitting down during the national anthem, and the concern of many over concussions, and long term issues with playing football, more and more Americans are turning away from the NFL. The article I read paints a glum picture for the future of the NFL/football.....frankly, I understand and appreciate the concern. IMO, ROGER GOODELL, and the players could destroy the NFL as we know it....such a shame. Just to add, I no longer watch the NFL and just watch FSU. GO, Noles!

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Commercials, replay, challenges, etc. killed pro football for me. It's boring as hell.

 

[SoddyNole]

Not a fan of any particular team so hard to be too enthusiastic about the NFL. I will watch some of the Vikings tonight to see how Cook does.

 

[kc78]

I think the biggest thing killing it has been the need to make the sport safer and the constant rule modifications. We're at a point now where flags and penalties are simply making the sport too boring. Similar things in basketball when teams play hack-a-shaq. No one wants to watch penalty after penalty. Football has always been a gladiator spectacle that we watched for the power, the speed, the hitting, etc...

It's the right thing to do though. I think it's just going to take a while for them to get the formula right to the point that we have a safer but still enjoyable experience.

I think the other big change is that with more and more sports journalist opportunities the relationships have changed. In the 80's and even in the 90's the leagues had no bigger cheer leaders than the journalists who overlooked all the terrible off the field behavior and dangerous on the field behavior. In the last 10 years however the journalists have changed from being cheer leaders and champions to critics willing to point out all of the negative things that happen.

I think those two things more than anything else have combined to make sports fans more jaded and less interested.

Sure, the kneeling had some impact, but if it had happened without either of the other two issues, you'd have simply seen some players become "Heels" to some people that they root against. They would hardly have abandoned the sport all together.

 

[FSUdawg]

What did the Rams have in attendance yesterday, 40,000? That place looked like it was hosting the USC spring game. Then again, the USC spring game might draw larger crowds than the Rams did yesterday.

 

[kc78]

What did the Rams have in attendance yesterday, 40,000? That place looked like it was hosting the USC spring game. Then again, the USC spring game might draw larger crowds than the Rams did yesterday.

Yeah, that was absolutely ridiculous. Maybe a reminder of why no pro football team ever seems to last in LA?

 

[NoleAPath]

What did the Rams have in attendance yesterday, 40,000? That place looked like it was hosting the USC spring game. Then again, the USC spring game might draw larger crowds than the Rams did yesterday.

The article I read noted that game....the NFL is dying...just a matter of time. Also, the lowest number of sell outs in decades. These Owners/Players are making billions/millions and yet they slap middle America in the face....they deserve what they get.

 

[cmanole]

Ticket prices are too high. Consessions are too high. Players and coaches make too much money. They're pricing themselves out of business. College football is not too far behind...

 

[RangerNole]

I think it is all of the things mentioned. Most people watch any sport for an escape from the reality of life. The NFL has decided or been forced into political stances and not just the flag stuff. Most Americans grind it out to make 40k-50k a year and they have the perception that NFL players make millions and complain all the time. Not just about perceived political stuff; but every play has someone dancing or throwing a fit because the call didn't go their way. Granted I am older and more old school but it just isn't fun to watch anymore. While I am sure if I had a team that was as great as the Patriots and had no college team I might follow the NFL more; but with only so much time in a week for sports I will use that time to watch college ball. Throw in the cost to go to game or even buy a jersey and you have people tuning out.

 

[mnole03]

Viewership ebbs and flows. There was a time when people were hyping NASCAR to no end. The NFL isn't helped by the domestic violence or CTE stuff, but the bigger issue is a lot of the games are just awful. That Colts-Rams game was shown in a wide section of the Midwest. Those poor viewers. The Cowboys-Giants game last night was a national game. God bless the third parties that watched Eli try to break 100 yards passing.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Rams fans know what a crap owner Kroenke is. Can't believe he's really going to build a $2.6 billion stadium in LA.

 

[DFSNOLE]

The article I read noted that game....the NFL is dying...just a matter of time. Also, the lowest number of sell outs in decades. These Owners/Players are making billions/millions and yet they slap middle America in the face....they deserve what they get.

Link the article you're referencing.

 

[kc78]

As for people attending games, owners are going to have to get really creative. I think the falcons are on to something. They've created an amazing stadium which will make watching the games easy and concessions are very cheap. I've quit going to many games in person. It's a pain in the ass to actually get to the stadium, when you do you've been packed in like sardines, it's hot and sweaty, concessions are through the roof, and it's difficult to see the game from many seats.

Why would I want to go through that hassle when i can relax in my home, drink an affordable cold one, have the ac, perfect viewing angles, replay, the ability to pause the game and go to the bathroom, etc... The only games I enjoy seeing in person any longer are either baseball games (I can't stand to watch those on tv but really enjoy the stadium experience) or intense college football games between rivals or highly rated opponents where the intensity and experience in the stadium simply can't be matched anywhere else.

 

[NoleinATL]

21.8 is a very big TV number , add in the fact that during the same time slot year over year the weather channel had a 1200% increase in viewership the 17% decline might indicate that the opening night number is not representative of the impending doom for the league , but a dip do to another major event going on in the country.

 

[DFSNOLE]

The article I read noted that game....the NFL is dying...just a matter of time. Also, the lowest number of sell outs in decades. These Owners/Players are making billions/millions and yet they slap middle America in the face....they deserve what they get.

How, exactly, are they slapping middle America in the face?

 

[montconole]

NFL ratings still crush every other sport.

If the NFL dies because of concussions, college football will be in the same coffin.

 

[BelemNole]

LA stadiums will always be empty.
Ticket pricing is stupid high, but they sell out on season tickets so they don't care what it looks like on TV.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Ticket prices are too high. Consessions are too high. Players and coaches make too much money. They're pricing themselves out of business. College football is not too far behind...

Owners are the ones making "too much money". Add that to them constantly holding cities hostage for new stadiums when these places need hospitals, roads, and schools. It's easy to see how folks are disenchanted with the financial aspect and that doesn't even begin to mention the super long games, replays, CTE denial, off the field incidents with players and management, and newer options for discretionary income and time.

Football is peaked about 3 years ago and is now in its decline, there's not much they can do about it.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

NFL ratings still crush every other sport.

If the NFL dies because of concussions, college football will be in the same coffin.

This is true, CFB will soon be headed in the same direction - first it'll be the small teams/mid-majors and schools like FSU will just say "hey, that's economics, they couldn't compete", but then it'll be us, and the bigger more monied schools will say the same thing, and then it'll be them.

CFB will still exist but with fewer teams and overall lower attendance and viewership.

There are just way too many options out there than to watch 3hr45min long games where everything is sponsored by someone, tickets are crazy expensive, and the actual players are killing their brains play after play.

Which is why I question teams dumping money into the arms race, both at the pro (see MB dome in ATL) and college levels

 

[Nole Lou]

It's a combination of quality of play and oversaturation. Between a 24 hour dedicated network, notstop social media, and managing your fantasy football and/or gambling...the games are an afterthought.

The games suck. Did you see some of the quarterback matchups yesterday? We're winding down out of an era of elite quarterbacks that was pretty much unprecedented, and it isn't pretty for the most part.

Fantasy football has masked the fact that the appeal and the quality of play has been devolving, but I now think they are reaping some of the negative consequences of moving almost the entire fanbase from fans of the sport to fantasy football participants. Why do you even need to watch the games anymore? Refreshing your fantasy app or leaving Redzone on is literally more entertaining than any single game.

 

[NoleAPath]

This is true, CFB will soon be headed in the same direction - first it'll be the small teams/mid-majors and schools like FSU will just say "hey, that's economics, they couldn't compete", but then it'll be us, and the bigger more monied schools will say the same thing, and then it'll be them.

CFB will still exist but with fewer teams and overall lower attendance and viewership.

There are just way too many options out there than to watch 3hr45min long games where everything is sponsored by someone, tickets are crazy expensive, and the actual players are killing their brains play after play.

Which is why I question teams dtumping money into the arms race, both at the pro (see MB dome in ATL) and college levels

Yep, it's happening now. IMO, College football will be like College Soccer in 20 years....fans will lose intrest.

 

[cmanole]

Owners are the ones making "too much money". Add that to them constantly holding cities hostage for new stadiums when these places need hospitals, roads, and schools. It's easy to see how folks are disenchanted with the financial aspect and that doesn't even begin to mention the super long games, replays, CTE denial, off the field incidents with players and management, and newer options for discretionary income and time.

Football is peaked about 3 years ago and is now in its decline, there's not much they can do about it.

All true as well...

 

[billanole]

I started watching with my parents many moons ago...mom was a huge Packers fan (loved Bart Starr and the power sweep), while my allegiance was with Johnny Unitas and the Colts. Pops, on the other hand watched it all, but his heart was with the Seminoles. When Freddie Biletnikoff caught on with the Raiders, I had a second pro team, and one who was available on TV in Tally back in the rabbit ear days.
Plenty of games we followed on the radio. How quaint in today's world.
Freddie B. could be seen on the sidelines smoking a cigarette, and plenty of players had summer jobs to make ends meet. The players looked like real people before the advent of year round training, special diets, and supplements. Coaches and players got paid like other people at the top of their professions rather than multi millionaires.
Fast forward to the hustle bustle of today's pro sports and it is of virtually no interest to me. The only players that interest me are former Noles or players and coaches with local ties.
Gambling and fantasy leagues are just another avenue that my car doesn't drive down as they continue the influx of money being chased. It is after all, just about the cash, homey.
The NFL has almost caught up with the NBA and the MLB in my view...something that as a kid I could not get enough of, but that now are just another part of my past.

 

[KRB123]

There are a lot of reasons the game is in decline.
The NFL has allowed social commentary into the broadcasts.
It was never ending with the domestic violence issue.
Don't get me started on the cost to go to a game. Family of 4.... $500 outing.
It's as bad as a Disney World gouge.

 

[billanole]

There are a lot of reasons the game is in decline
The NFL has allowed social commentary into the broadcasts.
It was never ending with the domestic violence issue.
Don't get me started on the cost to go to a game. Family of 4.... $500 outing.
It's as bad as a Disney World gouge.

I think your post makes sense to me. Mostly, they need to stop talking about anything but the game. And all of the 24 hour coverage needs to go away...

 

[Cubs79]

What did the Rams have in attendance yesterday, 40,000? That place looked like it was hosting the USC spring game. Then again, the USC spring game might draw larger crowds than the Rams did yesterday.

I dont understand why they put 2 teams back in LA. Considering 2 teams hasnt worked before, and the city has 2 major college teams as well, it seems they would have just worked to make the Rams popular in the city, before they worried about a 2nd NFL team.

In saying that though with regards to the Rams, maybe attendance will pick up if they look like a decent team, which they did yesterday.

 

[ohio#1nolefan]

Hard to believe people would be turned off by millionaire athletes telling us how horrible their race is discriminated against by another race, then protesting the national anthem and all the other antics i.e Kappernick. Some people are fed up with it.
However, I believe Irma had a pretty big impact on numbers this week.

 

[billanole]

Hard to believe people would be turned off by millionaire athletes telling us how horrible their race is discriminated against by another race, then protesting the national anthem and all the other antics i.e Kappernick. Some people are fed up with it.
However, I believe Irma had a pretty big impact on numbers this week.

Who can blame athletes for getting paid the prevailing wage by owners who hold us all hostage for new stadiums and tax breaks. Quit paying or watching and see prices come down. Meanwhile, why is national anthem sung at sporting events, anyway? What for...

 

[saenole]

You people act like the NFL and the combined media would do something so dumb as to name Beth Mowins as the play-by-play announcer for Monday Night Football. No, wait...

 

[FSUTribe76]

I don't think the decline has anything to do with what the NFL is doing or not doing.

It's just tough to compete against peak TV level programming on 75+ inch 4K TVs in your own home. And some of that programming is the same games for free you would pay hundreds to see in much worse sight lines. Plus great new video game systems, porn on your phone and tons of online entertainment options.

I think that college football has been slightly less impacted because 1) loyalty from alums and 2) the environment is more attractive (everything from marching bands to traditional cheers and a more raucus stadium experience in general in most situations). But eventually even college sports will shed viewership as well.

 

[nynole1]

You people act like the NFL and the combined media would do something so dumb as to name Beth Mowins as the play-by-play announcer for Monday Night Football. No, wait...

I asked if this was done as a PC move in another thread and got killed for it. I tuned in for two series to hear the broadcast and the whole team sucked.
As for viewership, I think just about everything mentioned above plays a part, just all depends on your POV.

 

[saenole]

And the sideline reporter, who has no real purpose, but who is usually is at least a cute young girl, is tonight someone named Sergio Dipp...with a Spanish accent. This really looks like a SNL skit.

What was wrong with Keith Jackson and Lynn Swann?

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Horrible voice.

 

[billanole]

Horrible voice.

I'm gonna duck, but her voice is a clone of most female sports personalities.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

And the sideline reporter, who has no real purpose, but who is usually is at least a cute young girl, is tonight someone named Sergio Dipp...with a Spanish accent. This really looks like a SNL skit.

What was wrong with Keith Jackson and Lynn Swann?

Nothing was wrong with Keith and Lynn Swann.
I also see nothing wrong w a woman play by play announcer and a Latino sideline dude.

I'm watching football not swiping girls on Bumble.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Nothing was wrong with Keith and Lynn Swann.
I also see nothing wrong w a woman play by play announcer and a Latino sideline dude.

I'm watching football not swiping girls on Bumble.

Do you think she's the best female for the job? (Rex Ryan sucks too, by the way)

 

[saenole]

If the crowd is OK listening to Beth Mowins and Sergio Dipp, then I have officially aged out. It's like listening to Mike Ditka commentate a cricket match.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Do you think she's the best female for the job? (Rex Ryan sucks too, by the way)

No idea if she's the best. But without this thread or the similar one in the TC I wouldn't have even given the announcers a second thought, which I say as a positive.

 

[QuaZ2002]

I thought she did fine tonight. I honestly didn't even think anything of it.

 

[HulaNole]

oversaturation

Agree with this. After Thursday Night bad matchup of the short week game, College football (Thursday nights, Friday nights, Saturdays and for the most part all of the 4 good games of the CFB weekend are all on Saturday nights now), I'm ready for something else on Sunday except for when the NFL team I follow plays and then I could still do something else. I rarely care about MNF. It could be perfect seats for Eddie Murphy live at his peak for Delirious on Thursday, Raw on Friday, 48 Hours on Saturday, and by Sunday I am ready for something else.