TV Ratings Aren't The Only Thing Declining In The NFL

[drawandstrike]

I continue to be amazed at how low the attendance is at some NFL games where just a year or two ago the stadiums were packed for that team's home games.

Take Sunday's game in SF between the 49ers and the Bucs.

Now, the networks do a pretty good job hiding all the empty seats during most of the game, but when they track the ball during kicks, this is what you end up seeing:

I guess I'm so used to the SRO crowds at Cowboy's stadium I find this shocking.

 

[StylisticS]

Noticed this too in the Skins/Lions game. The amount of empty blue seats was evident.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

A) economy isn't as good as gov wants you to believe

B) people rarely want to watch uncompetitive teams

 

[MichaelWinicki]

A) economy isn't as good as gov wants you to believe

B) people rarely want to watch uncompetitive teams

True... Kinda.

You need a decent level of coin to attend an NFL game... Just the way it is, between the tickets the parking and ridiculously priced food. It's not a cheap date, which of course is going to keep a large section of the population from going.

The Arizona/Seattle game was competitive but it was boring, boring, boring. It was bad on so many levels.

But I think a big problem is the lack of quality quarterbacking throughout the NFL... It's just bad for the most part.

 

[Proximo]

True... Kinda.

You need a decent level of coin to attend an NFL game... Just the way it is, between the tickets the parking and ridiculously priced food. It's not a cheap date, which of course is going to keep a large section of the population from going.

The Arizona/Seattle game was competitive but it was boring, boring, boring. It was bad on so many levels.

But I think a big problem is the lack of quality quarterbacking throughout the NFL... It's just bad for the most part.

Very good points. I think more and more that people aren't into attending NFL games unless they have a real reason to (big game with playoff implications, going with a group of friends, etc), or are die hard fans of that team.

With it being pricy for a lot of society, it's hard for fans to just casually burn a small pile of cash for what may be a meaningless, not even competitive game.

Factor that in with the convenience of watching games in the comfort of your living room on a large flat screen and you have your answer.

 

[HappyOnions]

I just don't think most people want to spend $1000 or more to take their family to a football game. Just look at our home crowd...how many of us could afford to pay for a ticket to a Cowboys game AND afford the air fare and lodging (provided we aren't from the area) We might be able to do it, but it would cost an arm and a leg.

Heck, I took my dad to a Bills/Packers game a few seasons ago in Buffalo and the tickets alone were over $300. Buffalo has some of the lower ticket prices in the league too...

 

[haleyrules]

Its too expensive and, frankly, the onfield product is not that good anymore. A high percentage of games l watched ,but had no emotional interest in,
were terrible.

 

[Sarge]

The NFL needs to thank their lucky stars there is such a thing as fantasy football.

 

[Jinxx13x]

Who wants to watch Kap and the 49ers anyway ?

hahahahaha

I feel bad for Navarro Bowman that is one 49er i do like

 

[cowboyblue22]

the prices are way to high the product on the field is pretty bad mostly the officiating is dreadful and its the same teams pretty year to year that are in the playoffs

 

[Yakuza Rich]

It's been happening for a while. Even at Steelers games.

People can mock Jerry for this, but he was smart enough to create a one-of-a-kind stadium knowing it would draw in opposing fans. With all of the television and HD options, watching the game from home is often a far better option than going to a game. That's unless you can draw the attention of opposing teams' fans to experience your stadium. It's something that the league is going to have a real problem with.




YR

 

[NextGenBoys]

True... Kinda.

You need a decent level of coin to attend an NFL game... Just the way it is, between the tickets the parking and ridiculously priced food. It's not a cheap date, which of course is going to keep a large section of the population from going.

The Arizona/Seattle game was competitive but it was boring, boring, boring. It was bad on so many levels.

But I think a big problem is the lack of quality quarterbacking throughout the NFL... It's just bad for the most part.

Thankfully we don't nor will we have that issue!!

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Thankfully we don't nor will we have that issue!!

That's true!

 

[John813]

Prices and a ****** team probably has to do something with that.
That, and certain sectors of the economy sucks.
Luckily, for me anyways, developers are building, so the construction/civil is booming.

 

[erod]

Let's just say the 5.1% unemployment rate being reported is an absolute load of crap.

 

[Kevinicus]

I continue to be amazed at how low the attendance is at some NFL games where just a year or two ago the stadiums were packed for that team's home games.

Take Sunday's game in SF between the 49ers and the Bucs.

Now, the networks do a pretty good job hiding all the empty seats during most of the game, but when they track the ball during kicks, this is what you end up seeing:

I guess I'm so used to the SRO crowds at Cowboy's stadium I find this shocking.

I was at SF for the Cowboys game, and this is not unexpected that early in the 1st quarter. The security there was EXTREMELY slow with checking people in, and I could still see a long line of people waiting near the end of the first quarter.

 

[dreghorn2]

The NFL needs to thank their lucky stars there is such a thing as fantasy football.

And gambling.

 

[ghst187]

A) economy isn't as good as gov wants you to believe

B) people rarely want to watch uncompetitive teams

This!!

 

[Leadbelly]

The NFL needs to thank their lucky stars there is such a thing as fantasy football.

True, but it's also a double-edged sword. It's masking issues with the core product.

The NFL will wake up one day and realize a whole generation didn't even bother becoming football fans. They just set their FF team for the week and then spent their Sunday doing something fun. They'll show up for the Super Bowl. Then the next generation ignores football altogether.

 

[Leadbelly]

A) economy isn't as good as gov wants you to believe

B) people rarely want to watch uncompetitive teams

C) Big TVs are a better use of money than going to a game. Back when our family tv was 26" (and seemed plenty big enough lol) going to a game was special and absolutely a better experience. Now, when you can get a 65" 4k flatscreen for under $800, spending $$$ on tickets (and parking, food, etc) is hard to justify. The best seat at the game is in everyone's house.

Jerry was pretty forward-thinking with the giant tv. It has the unfortunate side effect of anesthetizing the crowd but it gets people into the stadium.