The NFL's Politicization Is Not Why I'm Not Watching the Super Bowl
I’m not watching the Super Bowl this weekend. But it’s probably not why you think. And I’m pretty sure that the NFL will continue to thrive financially despite my decision.
Unfortunately, we seem to be living in the age of the hissy fit. Adults no longer seem capable of handling disagreement like, well, adults. Just take a look at the world of politics. Feeling offended has become a cottage industry. (Heck, I’m sure someone out there is offended by my use of the phrase “hissy fit.”) Young people seek “safe spaces” and desire “trigger warnings.”
Some of this, of course, has invaded the NFL. Starting last season, a small number of players decided to make political statements – I think this was about individuals, who are paid very well to play a game, protesting perceived racism – by kneeling during the National Anthem. That persisted into this season, but seemed to be fading away until President Trump focused on it, which only re-energized the effort.
Still, the anti-National Anthem players have continued to rank as a small minority in the game. But that has not stopped assorted people (mainly on the Right) from getting so, again, offended that they spew forth accusations that the entire NFL is unpatriotic and anti-military, and the league warrants a boycott. Um, really? What about all of the salutes this season during NFL games to military personnel and the massive flags unfurled for the National Anthem?
Anyway, it doesn’t stop there. The Left isn’t crazy about the NFL either. After all, football is a manly, violent sport, that’s also highly competitive. These generally are not traits embraced by liberals. Also, even though Native Americans don’t seem to care very much, as illustrated by a Washington Post poll, the Left periodically takes up the cause to have the Washington Redskins re-named, as these protestors are – yes, you guessed it – offended by “Redskins.” Under the Obama administration, even the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office got in on the act, trying to repeal the team’s trademark, but the courts put a stop to that effort – well, at least for now.
Despite all of these attacks, the NFL continues to thrive. For example, the league just signed a lucrative, five-year deal with Fox to broadcast Thursday night games for a cool $3 billion. And Sunday’s Super Bowl will earn record ad revenues. According to one report, NBC will rake in $5 million per 30 seconds of ad time, and tallying up $500 million in total ad sales, more than double the Super Bowl take eight years ago. And despite some recent declines in ratings, “the NFL remains a top draw on TV. NFL games comprised 37 of the top 50 most-watched TV programs in 2017, a 32% increase over 2016. The Super Bowl, which has drawn well over 100 million viewers in recent seasons, remains the top television event of the year…”
So, shouldn’t these rather bizarre attacks on the NFL spur me to actually watch the Super Bowl? Well, my decision is not about some cause. No, I’m just a sulking Minnesota Vikings fan after my hopes for a trip to the Super Bowl – in our own stadium, no less – were dashed by the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game. This is not new for me. I could not bring myself to watch the Super Bowl after losing NFC Championship games in the 2009, 2000 and 1998 playoffs.
Yes, I guess, it’s my own little hissy fit. But I’ll no doubt be back donning purple and gold in September, shouting “Skol!” and urging the Vikings to fight on to victory.
