Americans Love the NFL, But Change Is Looming

Source: Statista

As the NFL playoffs proceed and we’re drawing closer to what is arguably the biggest game in any sport, millions of Americans are looking forward to Sunday’s championship games which will determine who will face off in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on February 2.

While Baseball is often referred to as “America’s favorite pastime”, the NFL has long surpassed the MLB as the nation’s favorite professional sports league. For several reasons, including first and foremost its better suitability for television, football flew by baseball as Americans’ favorite sport to watch in the 1960s and hasn’t looked back since. If anything, baseball is on the verge of being surpassed by basketball as well, as younger audiences prefer the action-packed, instagrammable NBA over what many young viewers consider the dragging affair of a three-hour baseball game.

According to a poll conducted by Morning Consult in July 2019, the NFL is the no. 1 league to follow for 33 percent of U.S. adults, followed by the MLB (16 percent) and the NBA (10 percent). The NFL shouldn’t be resting on its laurels, however, as its popularity fades with younger audiences. Among 18- to 22-year-olds, the youngest cohort in the survey, only 23 percent picked the NFL as their favorite league, with the NBA a not-too-distant second (19 percent).

Interestingly, Major League Soccer still plays a minor role in the U.S. sporting landscape despite the sport’s popularity among younger Americans. Despite efforts to make the league more attractive, it is still considered a second-tier league in the global sport of soccer, which is why many American soccer fans follow the English Premier League instead.

FOX Sports Signs Three-Time Super Bowl Champion Rob Gronkowski As NFL Analyst

Gronkowski Makes Network Debut this Week on FOX NFL THURSDAY

Los Angeles, CA – Oct. 8, 2019 (PRNewswire) FOX Sports expands its elite NFL talent roster by adding Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots and one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, as NFL analyst for its extensive portfolio of NFL programming. Today’s announcement was made by Brad Zager, Executive Producer and Executive Vice President, Head of Production and Operations, FOX Sports.

Gronkowski makes his analyst debut on FOX NFL THURSDAY PRESENTED BY VERIZON Thursday, Oct. 10, at 7:30 PM ET on FOX. He joins Pro Football Hall of Famers Terry Bradshaw, Michael Strahan and Tony Gonzalez, and NFL insider Peter Schrager for the Thursday pregame show.

“We’re thrilled Rob chose FOX Sports for the next phase of his football life,” Zager said. “He is one of the most popular players to ever play the game and also one of the best tight ends in NFL history. His passion for the game and larger-than-life personality make him a perfect fit for FOX Sports.”

A five-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro, Gronkowski played a significant role in helping his New England Patriots maintain their position of dominance in the league, producing multiple Super Bowl titles.

“I’m extremely excited to be joining FOX Sports,” Gronkowski said. “For the past 25 years, they’ve offered viewers top-notch NFL programming from the field to the booth to the studio. Their deep talent roster is unmatched, which was important for me as I embark on this new chapter in my life because I’ll be able to learn from the best in the business.”

During his illustrious career, Gronkowski recorded 521 career receptions, 7,861 receiving yards, 79 receiving touchdowns, the most 1,000-yard seasons by a tight end (four) and the most postseason receiving touchdowns (12). His 79 career touchdown catches rank him third all-time among tight ends. With a postseason record of 1,163 receiving yards, he ranks ninth all-time in postseason receiving yards, regardless of position.

For more information on FOX Sports’ NFL coverage, visit FOX Sports Press Pass.

About FOX Sports
FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing Fox Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, the business has ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing relationships. FOX Sports includes the sports arm of the FOX Network as well as FS1, FS2, FOX Soccer Plus and FOX Deportes. FOX Sports’ digital properties include FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App, which provides live streaming video of FOX Sports content, instant scores, stats and alerts to iOS and Android devices. Additionally, FOX Sports and social broadcasting platform, Caffeine, jointly own Caffeine Studios which creates exclusive eSports, sports and live entertainment content. Also included in FOX Sports’ portfolio are FOX’s interests in joint-venture businesses Big Ten Network and BTN 2Go, as well as a licensing agreement that established the FOX Sports Radio Network.