NFL Blames ‘Unprecedented Interest’ in Election for Ratings Drop
- League sees no evidence that player protests affect viewership
- Sunday night game likely to be affected by debate, NFL says
The Arizona Cardinals face off against the San Francisco 49ers during a game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Oct. 6, 2016.
Photographer: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
The National Football League is seeking to ease concerns about a sharp drop in TV ratings during the first month of the season, citing “unprecedented interest” in the presidential election as one of several reasons viewership is down.
Total NFL viewership through four weeks declined 11 percent from last year, with prime-time ratings taking the biggest hit, according to a memo signed by NFL senior executives Brian Rolapp and Howard Katz.