I was not happy when politics intruded into one of my favorite sports when Colin Kaepernick decided to inject Black Lives Matter into the game. As a political junkie, I certainly have discussed much these last 10 years at GraniteGrok. However and unlike Progressives, I don’t bring politics into areas “just because I’m there” – I will wait until someone else does first. And there are certain times when I keep quiet completely – it’s not my place and that’s how I feel. If I am watching football, I want to see football – period. It seems that the NFL management has yet to learn this lesson-in-process (emphasis mine, reformatted):
Now, with the start of this year’s football season, we’ve watched a certain second-string quarterback and social justice warrior lead disrespectful expressions during the national anthem and other players have jumped on the bandwagon, offering the black power salute as well.
Everyday Americans have reacted. Until this year, the NFL’s ratings steadily grew with each passing year. This season, the NFL’s ratings are in a free fall, with ratings already down to 2007-levels. Since the start of this season, ratings have dropped 17% for Sunday Night Football alone, costing broadcasters (and by extension. the league) precious ad revenue. Imagine the league negotiating for the 2017’s season, trying to command this year’s ad rates with 2007’s audience numbers (or 1970s viewership, if current trends continue).
Clearly, the message from the “little people” – freedom-loving Americans – grows louder in the ear of the NFL Goliath with each passing week of declining numbers. The NFL will either reign in these overpaid social justice warriors or this might be the first Super Bowl in a long time where ad rates are lower than they were the previous year.
But are they listening? Or have they baked that in as just a cost of doing business? Or, do they see themselves as a platform for social justice warriors and are willing to change their fan base to reflect that Progressive / Socialist outlook?
I’m not turning the channel to watch the NE Patriots anymore nor am I setting the DVR. I’m not making the decision for TMEW but if she choses to watch, I’m doing something else. I may return if Mr. Kraft (or the NFL) adopts the “Shut up and sing” rule, but only “may”. Don’t lecture me when you’re supposed to be doing something else.
(H/T: The Truth About Guns)
