Comments on: NFL Ratings Up; WaPo Credits the Recession In A Hail Mary Pass

By: rodshooter

rodshooter — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:15:16 +0000

That’s what makes the NFL a better run sport b/c smaller markets actually can produce super ratings for the league. The league doesn’t have to rely on big markets like they do in baseball which needs to start forming their league in the same vision that the NFL does.

By: Corey3rd

Corey3rd — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:09:30 +0000

“if big-market teams were not doing what they’re doing,”

what are they doing? The Jets are tanking. Chicago is mediocre. Houston and San Fran aren’t that great. And Los Angeles has zero teams. Plus the Redskins are pathetic. The Giants are barely over .500. The big markets aren’t dominating the league.

New Orleans isn’t big market. Neither is Indy, Minnesota or Denver. Those are the winners.

Perhaps more people are just looking for an excuse to just lay on the sofa all Sunday and not worry about burning into the paycheck outside of buying a six pack and a frozen pizza

By: berniepv

berniepv — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:05:51 +0000

I would say fantasy football has the most to do with increased NFL ratings. It seem’s like everyone is involved in a league, which in turn makes them watch games they never would of had interest in before.

By: gbd

gbd — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:04:00 +0000

The number of empty seats for NCAA games at megaconference SEC Stadiums on Saturdays has not gone unnoticed, typically in the Visitors’ sections. Very odd looking as football in the South is like a pilgrimage. Not sure how much of a role the economy is playing but I gotta believe it is having some effect. The HDTV argument is valid as well. Easier to stay at home, see the game in hi def , avoid the crowds, potential bad weather and it is way cheaper. In the NFL, the Jags games are blacked out now on TV as their attendance is wayyy down.

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:13:44 +0000

Who knows, but I think this and other (this is now one of a dozen similar stories I’ve seen) stories all attempt the wrong case even if the recession *is* involved. They want to make it about people not going to games/tailgate parties. But even in markets where football is huge, a very small percentage of the markets actually do those things even when the economy is doing great!

This is one time where I really wish there was good, consistent OOH (out of home) measurement. I’d love to see what the OOH viewing for NFL games is this year versus last year and two years ago. It’s definitely plausible that more people are staying home rather than spending $25 at a sports bar. But lots of things are plausible that aren’t true! Without data we can’t know.

One place there is some data, but not enough (or I have not seen enough) to be conclusive is the continued proliferation of HDTV increases viewing time of sports, particularly football.

By: David

David — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:00:27 +0000

Yeah, I hate those stupid “what does it mean” articles too:

” is very popular these days. This is a reflection of society’s feelings of about . I’m so smart.”