"I've been too busy watching the incredible MLB playoffs to have time to write anything about the slumping NFL TV ratings," said the ironic columnist.
You've probably read about the league's TV ratings issues at some point during the 2016 season. The dip appears to be in the neighborhood of 12 percent across the board. A recent Seton Hall poll (that some have noted may have involved misleading questioning) suggested fans' disappointment with the national anthem protests, stemming from 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and others this preseason, played a factor in the ratings drop.
Admittedly, I don't buy it. Although I do have to admit, for the first time, I spoke to someone last week who told me, in all sincerity, they were attempting to boycott the NFL and U.S. women's soccer matches because of the anthem protests. This particular person wasn't much of a football fan to begin with, but their complaint seemed sincere. (Our conversation was unrelated to this column, which is why I'm choosing not to identify them.)
