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NFL: The Improbable Decline of America’s No. 1 Sport

By Peter Panacy

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (left) and Connie Payton announce the number eight overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (left) and Connie Payton announce the number eight overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end William Hayes (95) looks at a tablet computer on the bench during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end William Hayes (95) looks at a tablet computer on the bench during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

The New NFL Media Policy

In case you missed it, the league introduced a mandated restriction on media usage during, and even shortly after, each and every game.

Nancy Armour of USA Today described it in greater detail, but the gist of it is only the NFL is allowed to post live, in-game highlights. Not teams or other media outlets.

It’s an attempt to try and control the media market. But in an era of high-tech gadgets and visible media flooding the market, the attempt seems feeble at best. It’s not a good look.

Whereas the NBA holds a polar-opposite policy. The Association embraces the sharing of its media by all of its teams and basically considers it free advertising and marketing of its own brand.

What a way to embrace the 21st Century!

Oh, not surprisingly, the NBA has watched its ratings soar while the NFL’s have plummeted.