One of the most polarizing leagues of recent memory is the NFL. The NFL had their 8 most watched Super Bowls from 2010-2017 but the 2018 Super Bowl ratings dropped by almost 8 million viewers.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_watched_television_broadcasts_in_the_United_States
There could be many reasons attributing to the dropped ratings. Did the kneeling before football games bring up political agenda that people at sporting events felt uncomfortable with?In early 2016, I began paying attention to reports about the incredible number of unarmed black people being killed by the police. The posts on social media deeply disturbed me, but one in particular brought me to tears: the killing of Alton Sterling in my hometown Baton Rouge, La. This could have happened to any of my family members who still live in the area. I felt furious, hurt and hopeless. I wanted to do something, but didn’t know what or how to do it. To learn why Colin Kaepernick decided to take a knee click the link.https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/25/opinion/colin-kaepernick-football-protests.html
Did the kneeling make people who served feel disrespected when previously the NFL was seen as a major supporter having a military week every year? A National Football League season that's largely been defined by what happens before kickoff rather than once the games begin will enter a delicate new phase this weekend.Players who have protested social issues, racial inequality, police brutality and profane criticism from President Trump must now decide whether to continue taking a stand (or a knee) during the pre-game playing of the national anthem even while the NFL explicitly honors veterans, active duty military members and their families during its annual "Salute To Service" celebration. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2017/11/02/nfl-military-salute-service-protests-players-national-anthem/826596001/
Did the fact that a " backup quarterback" started in the game cause people to think the game would be less exciting?The Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl LII on Sunday after quarterback Nick Foles managed to outduel Tom Brady, arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history.Foles went 28-for-43 in the big game, threw for three touchdowns, and caught one more en route to Super Bowl MVP honors.The Eagles' victory over the New England Patriots capped a remarkable season for Foles, who took over for starter Carson Wentz in Week 14 after the MVP candidate went down with an ACL injury.By pulling off the upset, Foles became just the tenth quarterback in NFL history to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory after starting the season as a backup. http://www.businessinsider.com/nick-foles-backup-qarterback-super-bowl-tom-brady-2018-1
Are people tired of seeing Tom Brady and the Patriots in another Super Bowl?With 103.4 million watching, last night’s game on NBC from Minneapolis is down 7% from the total set of network eyeballs from the 2017 Super Bowl. A steeper fall than even the declining the stock market today, that’s the worst the Super Bowl has done since 2009 when the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-23 defeat of the Arizona Cardinals scored 98.7 million viewers. To find out why the rating fell click the link. http://deadline.com/2018/02/super-bowl-ratings-eagles-patriots-this-is-us-nbc-1202278181/
Have concussions placed a thought in people's head that football isn't worth the pain and people can't shake that from their heads? Football isn’t just a contact sport — it’s a dangerous game of massive bodies colliding into one another. And while it may seem obvious that this sport can do extraordinary damage to brains and bodies, it’s taken far too long for the NFL, the medical community, and football fans to fully reckon with this.https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/2/2/16956440/concussion-symptoms-cte-football-nfl-brain-damage-youth
When you think of baseball, the mind drifts to the Boys of Summer, sipping cool drinks while basking in the summer sun with family in friends. But in the early days of the season in Spring, it can be anything but summer-like. If prior season starts said, “Cold and damp,” the start to the 2018 season said, “Hold my beer.” Click the Link below to see why MLB ratings have decreased. https://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybrown/2018/04/12/heres-the-real-reasons-mlb-attendance-is-down/#68d2e1ad36f2
Has the thought that teams are tanking created a disinterest.MIAMI—Affirming his commitment to field the best possible lineup, Miami Marlins owner and CEO Derek Jeter denied tanking allegations this week after the team fielded just four players in a loss to the Phillies. “I know people aren’t happy with our performance, but just because we didn’t have a shortstop, second baseman, third baseman, right fielder, or left fielder playing last night doesn’t mean we aren’t trying to compete every game,” said Jeter, who promised that having a one-man rotation after cutting and trading away every other pitcher on the roster gives the Marlins the best chance to win. https://sports.theonion.com/derek-jeter-denies-tanking-allegations-after-marlins-fi-1825823047
For girls tennis has the scandal of one of the greatest girl tennis players attributed to ratings?The French Tennis Federation has announced that Maria Sharapova will not be allowed to participate in the French Open later this month.Announcing the decision on a live Facebook broadcast on Tuesday, French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli said he told Sharapova in person that it was not possible. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/french/2017/05/16/french-tennis-federation-maria-sharapova-french-open/101749222/
Has the face of a sport having a child changed ratings? In January 2017, two months into her pregnancy, tennis superstar Serena Williams competed in -- and won -- the Australian Open. At 20 weeks pregnant, with the smallest of baby bumps, she posted a picture on Snapchat of her athletic body, in a yellow swimsuit. Hers was a fortunate and healthy pregnancy, by any standard. https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/10/health/serena-williams-birth-c-section-olympia-bn/index.html
Injuries also continue to hurt some of the most recognizable players in men's tennis.an injured and visibly struggling Rafael Nadal retired while trailing in the fifth set of his Australian Open quarterfinal match against Marin Cilic.Top-ranked Nadal fended off five break points in the last game before Cilic broke his serve, then the 16-time major winner went to shake hands with the umpire and his opponent, and angrily hurled his headband into his equipment bag.http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/ct-rafael-nadal-retires-australian-open-20180123-story.html
How did the NFL become " America's Pastime" ? While Major League Baseball once held the title of America's Pastime, the NFL has long since wrestled that title away. It isn't just viewership that is on the rise for football. These days, kids are choosing "more exciting" sports over baseball. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1691465-how-the-nfl-became-americas-sport
Have the outside noise and fallout of other sports lifted football even more?Conor McGregor stole the show during UFC 223 Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and he wasn’t even fighting. At least not in the Octagon.On Saturday, as UFC President Dana White had promised, McGregor’s reign as the sport’s lightweight king was over when Khabib Nurmagomedov beat Al Iaquinta. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2018/04/06/conor-mcgregor-arrested-after-rampage-at-ufc-event/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.ddc9b7037574
When a face of a franchise moves to another industry does that effect the persona of either industry?f you’ve been living under a rock when it comes to WWE action, Ronda Rousey finally made her in-ring debut at WrestleMania 34 when she tagged with Kurt Angle against Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. https://fansided.com/2018/04/08/wrestlemania-34-fallout-ronda-rousey-whats-next/
COUVA, Trinidad and Tobago — Let’s be perfectly clear: The most embarrassing failure in U.S. Soccer history was consummated on Tuesday night in a near-empty stadium in the Caribbean tropics, culminating in a soul-crushing 2-1 defeat to a last-place opponent in which the U.S. men’s national team had only needed a win or a tie to qualify for World Cup 2018.
Tiger Woods knew he wouldn't win a fifth green jacket when he teed off for Sunday's final round at the Masters. However, he nearly left Augusta National with a nice parting gift: a large crystal bowl.The prize for making a Masters hole-in-one almost wound up in Woods' possession -- and it would have been especially rare considering where his close call came. The par-3 fourth hole has only yielded one ace (Jeff Sluman, 1992) in tournament history, but Woods just missed adding his name to that list.https://www.golfdigest.com/story/masters-2018-watch-tiger-woods-just-miss-making-a-rare-hole-in-one-at-the-masters
The Washington Capitals have moved on to the Eastern Conference finals after a 2-1 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday, taking the series 4-2. The Capitals have repeatedly stumbled in the postseason despite having one of the game's greatest goalscorers in Alex Ovechkin since 2005, and it seemed as though they had no answer for the Penguins at playoff time.http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/news/nhl-playoffs-2018-washington-capitals-advance-to-eastern-conference-finals-pittsburgh-penguins-highlights-result-score-overtime-win/1c6fze1im6pzp1j7kz55temgc2
The gold streamers that rained down on ecstatic Las Vegas hockey fans punctuated another achievement that few predicted before October’s season opener: The Golden Knights clinched a spot in the Western Conference final.Thousands who gathered at Toshiba Plaza outside T-Mobile Arena on Sunday watched on a video wall as the Knights shut out the San Jose Sharks, 3-0, and advanced in the Stanley Cup playoffs.“I’m so elated; I’m on the verge of tears,” Knights fan Matt Smiejan said over pulsating music after the final horn sounded.https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/the-strip/golden-knights-fans-rejoice-as-historic-playoff-run-lives-on/
Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson continues to be the most despised man in Pittsburgh.In Game 2 in Washington, Wilson knocked Pittsburgh defenseman Brian Dumoulin out of the game in the second period with a hit to the head. He didn’t receive a penalty on the play and wasn’t suspended, presumably because Dumoulin turned his head after Wilson had started the hit. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/columnist/allen/2018/05/01/capitals-tom-wilson-hit-zach-aston-reese-penguins-nhl-playoffs/571529002/
The LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan debate has been going on for years now, but I don’t think the case for Lebron James has been ever been as good as it is right now, especially after last night. In his 15th season, LeBron James is doing things that are unbelievable. James is averaging nearly a triple-double (27.5 PPG/ 9.1 APG/ 8.6 RPG), hitting several buzzer-beaters this season alone, and turning a team that likely wouldn’t be in the playoffs without him into a favorite to win the Finals.http://kentuckysportsradio.com/1/the-case-that-lebron-james-is-the-g-o-a-t/
James Harden is going to win the Most Valuable Player Award and deservedly so. He’s been the wire-to-wire leader. After battling through some winter injuries, Harden put his season into overdrive right when the Rockets were making their push for the best record in the league.https://www.sbnation.com/2018/3/29/17173724/nba-mvp-ballot-list-james-harden-lebron-james
After tweeting about LaVar Ball early Wednesday morning, President Donald Trump moved on to another favorite target: the NFL.Trump criticized the league after reports that the NFL will consider keeping teams in the locker room during the national anthem next season.https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2017/11/22/donald-trump-blasts-nfl-again-over-national-anthem-protests/888028001/
Roger Goodell seeks $50 million contract extension 1:25 PM ET Tue, 14 Nov 2017 | 01:43For many decades, the NFL has owned the no-lose product that is professional football in America. But the league's current leadership, helmed by Commissioner Roger Goodell, has made one crucial mistake after another and now the once-invulnerable league is playing defense.
And what's the NFL's response to these failures in leadership from the commissioner?
It's going to give him a big raise of course.https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/15/nfls-roger-goodell-doesnt-deserve-raise-he-should-be-fired-commentary.html
And what's the NFL's response to these failures in leadership from the commissioner?
It's going to give him a big raise of course.https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/15/nfls-roger-goodell-doesnt-deserve-raise-he-should-be-fired-commentary.html
Driven by the drama of who the secretive Browns would take with the No. 1 overall pick, the NFL Draft posted its best TV ratings since Johnny Manziel left college four years ago. The combined overnight TV rating for Round 1 coverage across ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports and NFL Network Thursday night was 8.4, just behind the combined 8.7 for the first round of the 2014 draft, when Jadeveon Clowney went No. 1 to the Texans and "Johnny Football" plummeted to the Browns at No. 22. http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/draft-tv-ratings-espn-nfl-network-fox-sports-johnny-manziel-round-1-baker-mayfield/1bx3njlks8r3j1s1z5hfbeahrk
According to the Wall Street Journal, the rate of participation in traditional team sports has fallen in the early elementary demographic. The number of children opting to play lacrosse has grown exponentially in the last decade. The sport of lacrosse has seen an increase in popularity across categories. Lacrosse is a sport that is played by men, women, and children, which adds to the popularity of the game. https://laxcamps.com/the-rapid-rise-of-lacrosse-in-the-united-states/
Over the last few years, pickleball has been rising in popularity. In fact, pickleball is considered one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. Due to the soaring popularity of this decades-old game, many parks and recreation departments are now adding pickleball to their sports programming. But what is pickleball exactly, and why is it becoming so popular? https://www.sportsimports.com/blog/why-is-pickleball-so-popular/
According to a recent Gallup poll, soccer’s rising popularity has the sport closing in on the big three of American sports (basketball, baseball, football). Per Gallup, soccer’s popularity has tripled in the last decade and presently ranks fourth among all sports. https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2018/01/09/gallup-poll-says-soccers-popularity-rise-sport-closes-top-three-big-us-spectator
Justify broke a 136-year-old curse, striding among the leaders for much of the race before taking the lead down the stretch of the 144th Kentucky Derby. The horse became the first since Apollo in 1882 to win as a three-year-old without racing as a two-year old.The favorite has now won for the sixth year in a row as Justify ran the third-fastest half mile in Derby history despite the horrid track conditions.https://www.forbes.com/sites/timwood/2018/05/05/kentucky-derby-2018-results-justify-the-winner-final-order-final-payouts-and-total-purse/#15bd77aa9fbe
If this admission from Patrick Reed is true, the man might never lose again.Playing at the Wells Fargo Championship this week, Reed was asked how he earned his major breakthrough without playing his best golf on Sunday. In response, in which Reed extolled the virtues of his short game, the 27-year-old revealed an interesting tidbit: the Masters marked the first time he wore contact lenses.https://www.golfdigest.com/story/masters-2018-the-real-reason-patrick-reed-won-the-green-jacket-he-wore-contact-lenses-for-the-first-time