ratings slid 12 percent in the NFL's opening weekend, with many blaming Hurricane Irma. But without dramatic weather, the second weekend was off 15 percent year-over-year. This comes after an 8 percent ratings slump last season.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nfl-tv-ratings-slide-worries-wall-street-1041187
Well it looks like the NFL is still "soul searching" for a reason why its ratings are declining. The possible reasons are listed below:
The Election (Opps, sorry that was last year's excuse)
Quality of Play
Too Many Commercials
Too Many Penalties
Hurricanes
Player Personal Conduct Issues
Pro-Kaepernick Boycotts
Pro-Get Off You Knee and Stand For the National Anthem Boycotts
eSports (Seriously, someone actually suggested that http://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-ratings-drop-study-young-men-watch-esports-more-than-traditional-sports-2017-9)
Hopefully the NFL's $150M man can turn things around seeing how his contract is up for renewal. Maybe a $200M ad revenue loss and half-empty stadiums might finally get the owners' attention. /S I know a lot of NFL fans out there would hate to see him get fired. Below is a live look at media outlets and the NFL trying to figure out the problem and a link to the article I believe (and many others on this site) explains the actually cause of the decline.
