Remember too that the concussions issue is also a potential causal factor. Some fans might be a little more ambivalent about football given the concerns that so many football players are having their brains permanently damaged (even just playing high school or college football). This is a huge issue because if the mainstream starts to look at football like it does boxing or UFC...it's going to lose its popularity. I really can't imagine fans not watching football because of these protests. Concussions are a much more likely cause of reduced ratings.
It's also possible that the sport might be losing popularity because of the crackdown on violent hits to the head. People like big hits; and those are being cut down.
Given what we are finding out with the effect of concussions on the brain...I think the NFL is going to go into decline. Parents are going to put their kids into safer sports. It's not worth it to put your kid in a sport that could cause permanent brain damage for many of the participants. And eventually that is going to have a trickle down effect on the NFL.
It's also possible that the sport might be losing popularity because of the crackdown on violent hits to the head. People like big hits; and those are being cut down.
Given what we are finding out with the effect of concussions on the brain...I think the NFL is going to go into decline. Parents are going to put their kids into safer sports. It's not worth it to put your kid in a sport that could cause permanent brain damage for many of the participants. And eventually that is going to have a trickle down effect on the NFL.