The NFL is currently king of American sports. This year’s Super Bowl was watched by 111.3 million people, making it the most watched television event in the history of American television. But NFL Hall of Famer Troy Aikman says that the NFL won’t always be in the number one spot.
So what’s the flaw of the NFL? Aikman says that the NFL has made two mistakes. First, they’ve scheduled games on too many days of the week. Second, they started broadcasting games on the NFL Network which many people still don’t have. Aikman told the LA Times:
“At one time, watching football was an event. Monday Night Football was a big event. Now you get football Sunday, you get it Monday, you get it Thursday and, late in the year, you get it on Saturday… People in Los Angeles realized, ‘You know what, life’s OK without the NFL.’ If I’m an owner, I don’t want any fan thinking that… People couldn’t get [the NFL channel] in the homes and, all of sudden, fans, me included, were saying, ‘I wasn’t getting the Thursday night game and I was OK with that.’ That’s not a good thing.”
Aikman believes that the NFL has made a few missteps which could eventually hurt its popularity. Aikman added:
“I believe, and this is my opinion, that at some point football is not going to be the No. 1 sport. You talk about the ebbs and flows of what’s popular and what’s not. At some point, the TV ratings are not going to be there.”
What do you think? Will the NFL be able to continue growing in popularity?
you might be right troy.
I haven't watched much football in recent years. Some of it has to do with my team (Raiders) not being good, but I didn't like when they expanded divisions and the salary cap creates many mediocre teams, without many great teams. And I have found I can live without it.
What cool aid is he drinking from?
troy is right!
I agree with him. With the Thursday night games that I cant see, the watered down game thanks to the rules changes and the attitudes of some of the players, it defintly has draw backs that it did not have before.
He might be right. The only sport that could overtake it would be basketball. It is behind soccer as the 2nd most popular sport in the world. Troy has always had very insightful commentary.
College football is better anyway.
There is TOO much football, and it doesn't may an sense why there is a N.F.L. Network when most people can't afford it and the only time you can see those games when they put it another station (which is somewhat rare).
Troy is right, I have cut back on any sport that has really rich people unable to 1) divide their pie fairly, without ripping of the buyer, 2) Agree to go drug free, and test to prove it. The dilution of visibility for more dollars is good for them, not so good for the consumer. In essence, we can and will live without it.
Troy is right, I have cut back on any sport that has really rich people unable to 1) divide their pie fairly, without ripping off the consumer, 2) Agree to go drug free, and test to prove it. The dilution of visibility for more dollars is good for them, not so good for the consumer. In essence, we can and will live without it.
The hell it won't. Don't get too carried away with the spotlight, Troy. Only foreigners give a $hit about suck-ass Soccer and other lame foreign games. The NBA and MLB will always be #2 and #3. But the notion that the NFL won't rule the airwaves for the rest of our lives is preposterous.
Even chicks get involved with Superbowl Parties. Ever heard of a France vs. Poland Soccer Party where the wives, daughters and sisters have any fun? I can't remember any halftime commercials during one of those grass-growing-stare-down-contests. The NFL rules and anyone who thinks otherwise is dreaming.
Too much football? There are a maximum of three games available during the day on Sunday, two of which are on at the same time…There's a game on Sunday night and Monday night…There are, what, four games on a Thursday during December, and a couple of Saturday games before the playoffs, then it's over…I don't know what he's talking about…Baseball and basketball have games every friggin' day, and the seasons seem like they're never over…
Troy is right. When the NFL Network came into being it was just another way to screw the fan. Thursday night games ya had to pay for.Screw that. Football isn't all that to where I'm going to fork over hundreds to see a game a few days out of the year. They are lucky I sit through the commercials as it is.
Troy is right. When the NFL Network came into being it was just another way to screw the fan. Thursday night games ya had to pay for.Screw that. Football isn't all that to where I'm going to fork over hundreds to see a game a few days out of the year. They are lucky I sit through the commercials as it is.
Troy knows what he is talking about. When the player's and the NFL turned this sport into a business it has also hurt the NFL. But they did it to themselves. I played football in High School and had a chance to play in college, but due to an injury I couln't. I remember back when I played we played for the love of the game. It has lost it's appeal to me. I watch College football now.
I watched "ZERO" football this year because the game is mostly about revenues now. Guess how much I missed it? "ZERO" Not saying Troy is correct, but the NFL has peaked and we all know what happens after that…. MMA & UFC will be the Number One Sport World Wide in about 10-20 years.
10-4
Of course Troy may have a point, then again he cracked his head inn the game 12-14 times…….
wow whata sharp news gathering org. this was on mike and mike espn yesterday and was about what happened last week.
Aikman is missing the point. If the NFLPA and the league don't get together and start looking at the concussion issue there's going to be a lot of players sitting around drooling on themselves when they turn 50. Memory loss, motor skill deterioration, etc. will come into play. Won't matter what you televise or when you televise it if the principals are all in danger of serious brain injuries. I like football and the physical nature of the game but something needs to be initiated by the players union on this before it's too late.
I LOVE football, everyday! I do however feel that the NFL network is quite greedy with the Thursday game only being viewable to subscribers. With the popularity of soccer growing at the rate it is, it'd be in their best interest not to upset their fans too much. Personally, I feel there are 2 seasons. NFL season, and beach season. GO BRONCOS!
I never found Aikman to be the most articulate guy around, but I agree with him on his assessment of this issue.
I've moved to Collage Football, because the NFL is to rich for my blood. I'm sorry. I was there to watch football not commerencial.
I've moved to Collage Football, because the NFL is to rich for my blood. I'm sorry. I was there to watch football not commerencial.
NFL games stopped being family friendly years ago. The average family can not afford go see a live game. What this has done is made generations live without live football. Now like he said it is just a matter of time before they price themselves out of family budgets. You have to pay for Thusday night games and you have to pay for Monday night games. Monday night football use to be a big deal. Now it usually isn't even a good game.
i thimk we need more football. aikman is stupid!
I agree, I'm burnt out by Super Bowl time, there are only some many hours in a weekend, plus the cost of seeing a game is out of this world not to mention premium prices for collectibles (which end up worthless). Yeah, my life is better spent outside with the grandkids doing something fun….. it's years are numbered.
I don't agree with his assumption. Where I think the popularity might wane is the fact since 2001, only the Colts, Patriots, Raiders and Steelers have made the Super Bowl from the AFC..No parody anymore throughout..Maybe in the NFC, but not all around..
So if he is right……What sport will become more popular than football?