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http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/nfl-tv-ratings-rasmussen-reports-poll-colin-kaepernick-anthem-protest-reaction-effect/95jdoch1ngj103xvbkllcbvkBy Michael McCarthy
It's the Kaepernick Effect, stupid.
The alarming fall in NFL TV ratings this season is partly because of fan anger over on-field protests by Colin Kaepernick and other players of the American flag/national anthem, according to pollster Rasmussen Reports.
Nearly one-third (32 percent) of adults say they're less likely to watch NFL game telecasts because of the Kaepernick-led player protests against racial injustice, according to Rasmussen's telephone/online survey of 1,000 American adults conducted Oct. 2-3.
Only 13 percent said they were more likely to watch an NFL game because of continuing protests by Kaepernick and supporters such as Antonio Cromartie of the Colts (who was cut only two days after raising a fist during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" in London on Sunday).
More than half (52 percent) say the protests have no impact on their decision to watch NFL games on NBC, Fox, CBS, ESPN and NFL Network this season.
Rasmussen's poll results also break down along racial lines.
Roughly 28 percent of African-American respondents say they're more likely to tune in to an NFL game because of the protests vs. only 8 percent of whites and 16 percent of minorities. Whites are twice as likely as minorities to say they're less likely to watch NFL game telecasts this season.
So what do we make of this survey?
First, some caveats. Rasmussen has long been viewed as a Republican-leaning research outfit.
The #BoycottNFL movement is strongest among politically conservative fans who are more likely to see Kaepernick's refusal to salute the flag/anthem as an insult to police/U.S. military rather than a cry for racial justice.
So, many experts might dismiss the survey as politically biased.
On the other hand, it's one of the only polls I've seen where we've actually asked viewers their thoughts on the double-digit drop in the NFL's prime TV ratings through Week 4 of the 2016 season.
There have been a variety of explanations cited for the ratings shortfall.
Among them: the crazy U.S. presidential election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton; the lack of TV draws, such as the retired Peyton Manning and suspended Tom Brady; the lopsided scores of many prime-time games; and cord-cutting millennials watching online rather than on TV.
Whatever the reasons, the numbers aren't pretty.
Monday Night Football completed week of futility for NFL as ratings fell for all seven telecast windows in Week 4: https://t.co/rJjoItnqJx
— Paulsen (@paulsen_smw) October 5, 2016
— TV ratings for NBC's "Sunday Night Football," the top-rated prime-time show for five years running, are down 10 percent, according to SportsBusiness Daily. CBS' "Thursday Night Football" numbers, meanwhile, are off 15 percent from last year.
— ESPN's "Monday Night Football" numbers have taken the worst beating. They're down a whopping 19 percent. Despite having a team from the nation's largest TV market, overnights for Monday's Giants vs. Vikings game were down 8 percent, according to @SportsTVRatings.
9.1 overnight rating for Giants-Vikings, down 8% from the 9.9 for last year’s week 4 matchup (Seahawks-Lions)
— Sports TV Ratings (@SportsTVRatings) October 4, 2016
— Even Fox's late afternoon Sunday game was down 12 percent this week. Prior to Sunday, Fox's Sunday late afternoon window was the only telecast posting positive numbers.
I don't know why, but the sports media has dismissed the idea that NFL viewers are boycotting game telecasts because of the Kaepernick-led player protests.
But it's not hard to understand.
Many fans view sports as the last refuge from politics and the Right vs. Left Culture Wars. The Kaepernick protests have made people frustrated the NFL will be just as politicized as everything else.
They blame the NFL for passively accepting the protests -- and not clamping down on Kaepernick and other protesting players.
The social media warriors pushing the #BoycottNFL campaign are happily celebrating the NFL's falling ratings.
#BoycottNFL has been a stunning success. We are coming for ESPN next!https://t.co/l70JdCnCox
— Mike Cernovich (@Cernovich) October 4, 2016
NFL ratings down, arrogant NFL not concerned. Yet. Keep boycotting. #BoycottTheNFL #boycottNFL https://t.co/3Z4064JfiL
— Deplorable Tom (@Tomvegas1) October 1, 2016
When I work I have to uphold the standards of my employer. If I don't, I'm fired. Sick to death of spineless NFL. #boycottNFL
— Elizabeth Clayton (@eclayton963) October 5, 2016
