Every week on Monday, the WoW! community and our invited guests weigh in at the Watcher’s Forum, short takes on a major issue of the day, the culture, or daily living. This week’s Question: Is Pro Football Committing Slow Suicide?
Don Surber:Pro football is the most popular television entertainment in America. Its annual Super Bowl conclusion draws “Beatles on Ed Sullivan” level ratings.
But as is happening throughout the TV business, the Internet threatens this cash cow.
Also, the self-indulgent sit-downs by players corrodes the civic bond between the core fan base and the team. Browns fans stay with a lousy team because its first name is Cleveland. But watching a team with no prayer to win is depressing. Sitting down gave fans a plausible and justifiable excuse to watch something else. Loyalty is a two-way street.
So yes, the sitdowns and the politicization of the game harm the NFL.
[Read more…]