Is the NFL declining?

The NFL isn't in a steep decline overall, but faces mixed signals: recent seasons show slight viewership dips and attendance softness (down 0.8% in 2025), potentially due to increased prices or competitive games, yet revenue remains strong and streaming packages (like Thursday Night Football) saw growth, with many teams still selling out; while some attribute past dips to anthem protests, newer data points to evolving viewing habits, increased competition, and game quality, though the league remains dominant in U.S. sports.

Has the NFL rating dropped since protests?

Yes, many studies and surveys from the mid-to-late 2010s indicated that national anthem protests, particularly those started by Colin Kaepernick, significantly contributed to declining NFL viewership, with a substantial portion of fans citing it as their primary reason for watching fewer games, alongside other factors like off-field issues and excessive commercials, though the NFL initially disputed the impact. While viewership numbers fluctuated, research pointed to strong fan backlash over the protests as a major factor in the ratings dip during those years. 

Is the NFL doing well financially?

During the 2024 financial year, the NFL reportedly generated more than US$23 billion in revenue, putting the league well on course to achieve commissioner Roger Goodell's longstanding aim of reaching US$25 billion in annual income by 2027 – a goal first stated publicly back in 2010.

Is there tanking in the NFL?

While teams don't openly admit to it, NFL organizations often engage in strategies that look like tanking, such as trading veterans for picks, benching players, or making questionable coaching hires to rebuild for future high draft positions, though players and coaches themselves are incentivized to win, creating internal conflict with long-term organizational goals. Tanking, defined as deliberately losing for better picks, is risky and can backfire, as shown by past controversies like Stephen Ross's alleged attempts to bribe players to lose, leading to NFL penalties.
 

Which sports are losing popularity?

Sports experiencing declining viewership or participation, especially among younger demographics, include Baseball (MLB), Tennis, Golf, NASCAR, and Rugby, while traditional powerhouses like American Football (NFL) and Basketball (NBA) face concerns about long-term engagement despite current dominance, with issues like a perceived lack of star power in baseball and changing media habits impacting many sports.
 

NFL Ratings STEEP DECLINE Shows NFL Losing National RELEVANCE

Why is the NFL losing viewers?

Roughly 10% of the people we surveyed refrained from watching and attending the NFL this season for the sake of the players' health. This percentage may increase if the number of individual cases, research, and awareness of the risk of developing Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) from playing football grows.

What sports is Gen Z playing?

Gen Z's favorite sports center around football (NFL & College) and basketball (NBA & College), but also show strong interest in soccer, MMA/UFC, Esports, F1, and women's sports like the NWSL, valuing digital engagement, player personalities, and diverse, inclusive sports culture, though they watch live sports less often than older generations. 

What is an NFL Waterboy's salary?

NFL waterboys (part of the equipment/training staff) typically earn around $50,000 to $53,000 per year, though figures can range from $30,000 to over $50,000 depending on experience and team, with some reports suggesting over $3,000 per game plus perks like travel and gear. While they provide water, their role is broader, involving sideline prep, locker room setup, and travel, acting as an apprenticeship for potential athletic training careers. 

What is statistically the worst NFL team?

Statistically, the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-14) and the 2008 Detroit Lions (0-16) are often cited as the worst NFL teams ever due to their winless records and abysmal scoring/defense, with the 1976 Bucs holding the worst Simple Rating System (SRS) mark ever, while the 1991 Indianapolis Colts set records for fewest TDs and points in a 16-game season, but the definition of "worst" depends on stats like win-loss, point differential, or specific offensive/defensive metrics. 

Why is losing called tanking?

Losing is called "tanking" because the term originates from boxing slang, meaning to intentionally lose a match by "taking a dive" into the canvas (the "tank"), which later evolved in sports to describe deliberately losing games for a strategic advantage, usually securing a high draft pick in sports like the NBA for a better future team. It's a strategic failure by management, not the players, aiming for long-term success by getting top prospects in the draft. 

Does anyone own 100% of an NFL team?

Yes, until recently, Robert Kraft owned 100% of the New England Patriots, and while the NFL generally requires a controlling owner with at least 30% ownership, the Krafts have held full ownership, though Robert Kraft is now selling minority stakes, and the Green Bay Packers are famously community-owned with no single owner.
 

Did NFL ratings drop after kneeling?

Yes, NFL ratings dropped significantly around 2016-2017, coinciding with player protests like kneeling during the National Anthem, and studies found a statistically significant link, with many fans citing the protests as a reason for tuning out, although other factors like media consumption changes and game quality also played roles. While some attributed the decline solely to the protests, research indicated that political polarization (specifically Republicans watching less) and general media shifts were major contributors, with ratings later recovering as the kneeling controversy lessened. 

What is the wealthiest NFL team?

The Dallas Cowboys are consistently ranked as the richest NFL team, valued at around $13 billion in 2025, making them the most valuable sports franchise globally, followed by the Los Angeles Rams ($10.5B) and New York Giants ($10.1B) entering the $10 billion club, according to Forbes and other financial analysts like CNBC. All NFL teams now exceed $5 billion in value, with the average team worth $7.1 billion, driven by massive revenue growth and strong market demand.
 

Is NFL viewing down?

NFL viewership isn't consistently down; it's actually seen significant growth in the most recent 2025 regular season, hitting near-record highs with an average of 18.7 million viewers, a 10% jump from the prior year, thanks to Nielsen's improved measurement including out-of-home viewing, though some individual network packages (like ESPN's) saw dips due to carriage disputes, while streaming and broadcast partners like Prime Video, CBS, and NBC generally increased audiences. 

What was the worst deal in NFL history?

The Deshaun Watson trade to the Cleveland Browns in 2022 is widely considered the worst NFL deal due to the massive haul of draft picks given up (three first-rounders, among others), the fully guaranteed $230 million contract (the largest in sports history at the time), his subsequent subpar play, and the controversy surrounding numerous sexual misconduct allegations, creating a disastrous combination of financial, draft, and performance costs for Cleveland, while Houston clearly won the trade. 

How much money did Colin Kaepernick lose by kneeling?

Per this story, Kaepernick also was making $3 million annually in endorsements. The protest probably cost him $30 million. This Business Insider story also notes Kaepernick only received $39.4 million from the "record" seven-year $126 million contract he signed in 2014.

What is the most hated rivalry in the NFL?

The most hated NFL rivalries often stem from divisional battles and historical dominance, with top contenders including the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens, known for intense, physical games; the historic Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers, the oldest rivalry in the league; and the Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders, fueled by NFC East dominance. Other fierce rivalries involve the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Cowboys, the 49ers vs. Cowboys, and the modern AFC clashes like Chiefs vs. Bengals, all featuring deep-seated animosity and high stakes. 

What's the least valued NFL team?

The Cincinnati Bengals are consistently ranked as the least valuable NFL team by major publications like Sportico and Forbes in recent years, often followed closely by teams like the Arizona Cardinals and Jacksonville Jaguars, though valuations vary slightly by source and year, with recent figures placing the Bengals around $5.2 to $5.5 billion in value. 

Who has the worst stadium in the NFL?

The 5 worst stadiums in the league

• Levi's Stadium, home to the 49ers.
• U.S. Bank Stadium, home to the Vikings.
• Lincoln Financial Field, home to the Eagles.
• Northwest Stadium, home to the Commanders.
• Allegiant Stadium, home to the Raiders.

How much does an NFL cheerleader make?

NFL cheerleaders' pay varies significantly by team, but historically it's been low, often around $150 per game plus appearance fees, totaling ~$22,500/year (before 2024-2025 raises), with the Dallas Cowboys seeing a major raise after the America's Sweethearts docuseries highlighted low wages, moving towards hourly rates and better compensation, though many still lack benefits, unlike mascots or players, working part-time for full-time effort. 

How much do NFL towel boys make?

NFL towel boys (or waterboys/equipment crew) typically earn a salary in the $50,000 to $60,000 range annually, with some reports citing averages around $53,000, though this can vary by team and market, sometimes including perks like merchandise or tickets. While some salary aggregators suggest higher figures for "Ball Boys," the common role of providing hydration and towels during the season falls within this consistent range. 

Do NFL waterboys get Super Bowl rings?

Yes, NFL waterboys can get Super Bowl rings, but it's not guaranteed and depends on the team owner's discretion, with some receiving less elaborate versions than players, as the team decides who gets rings from the pool of 150 provided by the NFL. While active players, coaches, and staff usually get rings, owners can extend these to other essential personnel, including waterboys, cheerleaders, and even janitors, often with different tiers of ring quality.
 

What do Gen Z use instead of 😂?

Gen Z uses the 💀 (Skull) emoji to mean "I'm dead" from laughter, the 😭 (Loudly Crying Face) for intense humor or emotion, and sometimes the 🤡 (Clown Face) for foolishness, while finding the 😂 emoji outdated or "cheugy," often preferring these more dramatic or layered expressions of extreme amusement. 

What sport is easiest to get into?

Here are ten of the easiest sports to get started with:

• Swimming. ...
• Pickleball. ...
• Disc Golf. ...
• Bowling. ...
• Basketball. ...
• Soccer. ...
• Baseball / Softball. ...
• Volleyball. Easy to learn and highly social, volleyball is great for beach days or league play.

What is the hottest new sport?

Internationally, padel has become one of the world's fastest-growing sports, with tens of millions of players now active across more than 130 countries, according to estimates cited by national federations and industry reports.