NFL TV Ratings: Down 29%, they blame protest of players
by Amaury Pi Gonzalez
AP photo: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick stands on the sidelines during the second half of Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara
SANTA CLARA–When it comes to sports and television ratings, the National Football League is “Numero Uno” for many years now, among all the main sports. But this year the story has abruptly changed.
Is there discrimination? sure, is there social injustice? Yes, are there unpopular wars? Sure. But people that watch sports in this crazy violent world we are living today do it to escape for a couple of hours of all the stuff that is going on. The NFL is no exception and that is why a recent poll showed a 29% drop in their ratings, 40% blame protests like those started by 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
As a man that is 100X100 FOR Free Speech(otherwise I would have moved back to Cuba, where for the past half over century there is none)I agree with anybody that wants to demonstrate about a certain issue they feel passionate about it. But, we all know that Kaepernick could have called a press conference anytime he wanted, before of after a game, during the season, or in the off-season and explained his point of view regardless blacks and minorities and the abuse they receive by law enforcement. I have absolutely no problem with Mr Quarterback if he wanted to do that.
However, I totally disagree with not standing up for the National Anthem, and I know he has the right and the freedom to do it and thank the millions of people that have fought and defended the right he enjoys. In a country as diverse as ours I believe there are two things that should be respected all the time, the flag and the national anthem. I have never questioned what is in Kaepernick heart. I do not think I am asking for much, it is only common sense to me. Maybe I can appreciate this much more because of my background and where I come from a place that if you go on the streets and burn the flag, your head will probably be broken in pieces.
This is what the Yahoo Sports/Yougov Polls, taken October 12-13 of 2016 shows why 29% of fans are watching less football. Election: 17%. Lost Interest 28%. Lack of opportunity 31%. Kaepernick protests 40%.
San Francisco 49ers fans are probably watching less of their team anyway, this is the Bay Area after all, we are famous for flying our teams colors(when they win)but today the 49ers flags we used to see in the cars around the bay are few, and a 1 -6 start to a season will fold anybody’s flag.
It will be very interesting to see how the ratings show the rest of this NFL season. The NFL is a very rich league and their blood-line comes from huge audiences who generate huge advertising revenue.
Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
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