A University of Texas poll shows the NFL losing a crucial base of support in football-crazy Texas, but the protest-supporting media has so far shown no interest in covering the story. Nearly half the state’s registered voters view the NFL unfavorably, according to a poll conducted by the University of Texas/Texas Tribune, "a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization."
The pollsters cited two reasons for plummeting approval of the NFL in the Lone Star State: the political crisis over player protests and the issue of concussions.
Ross Ramley's story for the Texas Tribune reports, "Players kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequity have attracted the wrath of President Donald Trump and his supporters. And increasing evidence that repeated concussions can cause long-term brain damage has eroded the sport’s reputation, particularly among kids, as a healthy activity."
Daron Shaw, co-director of the poll and a government professor at the University of Texas, Austin, said, “Trump made this an issue. He understood that making this about the national anthem was good politically. It’s very clear it has hurt the NFL, and that it’s polarized politically and polarized racially.”
The poll reveals 47 percent of voters said they have an unfavorable opinion of the NFL and 28 percent have a very unfavorable opinion, Just 27 percent have a favorable impression of the NFL.
The poll results also divide along racial lines. The approval rate is 20 percent among whites, 39 percent among Hispanics and 47 percent among Black voters. Disapproval ratings showed whites at 55 percent, Hispanics at 39 center and blacks at 24 percent.
Jim Henson, co-director of the poll and head of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas, also spoke about the NFL's controversy contributing to its loss of popularity. “If football was trumping controversy, these numbers would be much more positive than they are. “And they would not show the demographic patterns that are clearly evident here.”
The poll surveyed 1,200 registered voters earlier this month.
The Texas Tribune posted its story on the internet early Wednesday morning, but by late afternoon the media had all but ignored it. Many in the media support the protests and dispute the idea that kneeling and power salutes during the national anthem are hurting the NFL's business. Thus the chirping crickets.
Blogger Clay Travis is practically the only media person commenting on the poll. The publisher of Outkick The Coverage writes that Texas "is the heartbeat of football!" and, "This should be terrifying to the NFL. Look at what politicizing the sport has done."
Travis also wrote that the reason Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones and Houston Texans' owner Bob McNair have spoken out against the national anthem protests is "Because they see the people who support their teams falling out of love with the NFL’s brand all over their state."
"Sticking to sports, while unpopular on social media, is actually extremely popular with the masses and it’s good for business," said Travis, adding:
"Whether you love or hate Donald Trump, he’s won this with the NFL over the national anthem. The majority of American sports fans believe players should stand for the national anthem. ... (I)f you’re a football league and you’ve lost Texas, you’ve lost your base. And if a business loses its base, trouble will follow no matter what industry you’re competing in, sports or otherwise."
The league's owners are feeling the pain. Last month they voting 32-0 to disallow anthem protests.
