I Am Going to Say Something Controversial

If perceived "patriotism" is directly correlated to sports viewership ratings (as Trump suggested when he said NFL ratings are tanking because of protests) then how come NASCAR which he just praised for its extreme "patriotism" has had ratings steadily falling off a cliff for the last decade?

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TexChik · F

The protests started by Kapernick have directly affected the fan support for the NFL in a negative way . That is a fact . NASCAR has never had an anti American protest . That too is fact . Libs just don't like being pointed out as being the anti American Americans .

SW-User

@TexChik Hard to really confirm that it has been a negative affect on ratings. If the NFL was the ONLY sport showing decline in ratings then I'd say maybe you can make that assumption. But pretty much every sport's viewership is declining in ratings. NASCAR being the biggest sufferer in this regard.

SW-User

@TexChik Personally I hate that my favorite sport to watch has become a political hot topic. The kneeling never bothered me but so much because from a tv viewer standpoint you don't even always see the anthem...you only get force fed the clips later during the game by the network airing it. I just think there are more serious issues the Prez could choose to tackle (pun intended).

TexChik · F

@SW-User actually it's not

TexChik · F

@SW-User when the issue is an issue with his base ... he addresses it . For far too long inappropriate behavior gets ignored rather than pointed out .

SW-User

@TexChik Actually it's not what? NASCAR ratings have dropped by nearly half in the past 10 years....down 12% from last year alone. NFL has dropped too but it hasn't been that bad.

Well we'll differ on opinion with whether exercising one's first amendment right is appropriate or not. If these players were kneeling out of laziness I'd agree with you...but when these players are actively pursuing what they believe in and donating their time and money to doing it as so many have proven to do then I don't think it gets any more appropriate than that.

TexChik · F

@SW-User it's not difficult to tell the effect Kapernick has had on the NFL viewership and game attendance . Both are down . No one is buying the airtime around the national anthem ... which is lost revenue for the networks and will affect the bottom
Line at the next negotiation with the NFL .

SW-User

Those numbers are down in all sports. NASCAR as well. It’s the market not politics. And there is no airtime around the national anthem...because 9 times out of 10 the national anthem isn’t even aired unless it’s a special event. If you watched football you’d realize this.