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

[Sarge]

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.

Disagree. There are millions of people watching the games soley because they have a fantasy football team and players they are rooting for. It is 100% undeniable that fantasy football is good for the NFL. they will never admit it of course, but it common sense.

 

[Dallas_Cowboys50]

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.

"Home of the faithful" LMAO.......I was laughin at that when we played em and took the place over, seein this just makes it funnier all over again!

 

[jimmy40]

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.

I thought the the Arizona/Seattle game was awesome, two good offenses with really good quarterbacks getting beat by defensive plays all over the place all game, dude jumping over the line to block field goals, overtime, the reactions to both chip shot field goals missed. tie game. man that was great. I'm sure it sucked for fantasy folks.I also know many fantasy guys that don't even watch the games, they just want updates on their phone.

Lack of quality quarterbacking has been a topic for the NFL since I started watching in 1970 but now that the NFL is shoving a passing league down our throats they're getting what they deserve, crappy offenses. Oh and lets have less practice for these passing offenses, that's a good idea.

 

[Leadbelly]

Disagree. There are millions of people watching the games soley because they have a fantasy football team and players they are rooting for. It is 100% undeniable that fantasy football is good for the NFL. they will never admit it of course, but it common sense.

That bolded part is exactly the problem and why it's a double-edged sword.

Millions more watching? No, most FF players were the millions who were already watching. If it were millions of additional people watching, there wouldn't be a discussion about declining tv ratings. Those pre-existing millions are now distracted viewers who don't go to games as much (if at all) and don't watch commercials as much (if at all). They are watching the stats on their smart phone or tablet of choice while they spend their Sunday out and about. I say that as a FF player.

They will see in 2022 when current tv deals end. I'll call it now. They'll need to go pay-per-view.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Tv ratings are down in general, with more and more period turning to Netflix and Hulu and watching games via streaming or non traditional ways

Viewership of the olympics was down 17% from the 2012 olympics even though more events where shown during prime time. They say it's a trend moving away from TV towards other platforms

 

[John813]

Tv ratings are down in general, with more and more period turning to Netflix and Hulu and watching games via streaming or non traditional ways

Viewership of the olympics was down 17% from the 2012 olympics even though more events where shown during prime time. They say it's a trend moving away from TV towards other platforms

Wasn't it also that NBC was getting tons of flack for their handling of the olympics?

I wouldn't know, didn't watch a second of it.

 

[YosemiteSam]

My love for football has been in decline. I've noticed lately. The Cowboys are almost the only team I will watch these days. It hurts the NFL even more that I can't watch my team every week too. (I'm not paying an idiot amount of money to watch 16 games) It hurts them to the point that even when there are times that I can, I had other plans that I did instead.

It's funny, I pay like $130 for 82 hockey games and the NFL thinks I should pay $300 for 16 games. Screw you. The gorilla has had lap band surgery. Their audiance is eroding away and all the scare of injury to children and the dying off of football in schools isn't going to help the NFL.

Good thing Jerry got his stadium when he did. Those mega football stadiums may become a thing of the past.

 

[TheBigEasy]

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

Someone gets it. Well played Sarge...well played.

 

[DandyDon52]

The price of everything involved is too high.
Also there is the new tote bag rule which I think was designed to prevent people bringing their own food or drinks in.
I have read things about people having to take things back to their car.

Music that is too loud and not something everyone wants to listen too.
Too many flashing lights? and other noises. That ring they have would distract me.
I would prefer no music, and to bring my own food and drinks.

SF had a great team and the owner threw that out the window with harbaugh !
Who is the coach now ?? lol I dont know.
Had they kept harbaugh and let him do what he wants, then those seats would not be empty now.

They could have last minute cheap tickets, just to get more people in from lower incomes, and give them 1/2 price
food and drink and parking coupons.

 

[Blackspider214]

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.

The Zona/Seattle game was great. Those defenses were flying all over the field making plays. Even gaining 2 first downs in succession was a big deal. Such a breath of fresh air from the 7 on 7 type of football we are seeing more and more these days, especially at the HS and college level in Texas. I like seeing defense being played. That wasn't the Jags/Browns out there and just terrible offenses.

The only bad thing was the amount of missed FGs.