Surprise, surprise - politics & sports (and other forms of entertainment) don't mix for many fans
Bottom Line: The effort to politicize sports is anything but new. I recall the first story I put together on the proliferation of it in 2002. It wasn't a new concept then either but what began to proliferate around that time were the efforts by some in sports media to induce athletes to speak and act out on various topics (most commonly certain broadcasters on ESPN). I found it highly annoying, discussed it on-air and online and even reached out to ESPN who refused to comment but still it was different because it wasn't taking place on the field. It was easy for me to ignore ESPN's shows (and other related sports media choosing to politicize sports) and still enjoy the welcomed diversion of the games themselves. And then we know it carried over to the playing field itself.
As I've mentioned from the onset of Colin Kaepernick and his merry band of ignorant ingrates... I don't believe in boycotts. If we don't like something we don't have to consume it. If there are many who feel the same way the impact will doubtless be felt. As we know in the case of the NFL and related forms of entertainment - the impact has been felt. After two straight years of significant ratings declines for the NFL - there were 20% fewer fans watching NFL games last season compared to just two years previous. In the case of award shows (and like events that are often co-opted by people who pretend to be someone else for a living lecturing on politics while winning awards for pretending to be someone else), ratings declines have been even more significant. And fresh out of McLaughlin & Associates - we have new research on just how many people don't want politics mixing with their outlets for entertainment.
75% agree with the statement, “When I watch live sports or entertainment shows on television I am trying to get away from politics and do not want to be bombarded with partisan political messages.”
Well, shut the front door! You mean we don't watch award shows to hear how awful the president is? We don't watch football games for the purpose of supporting the racist hate organization "Black Lives Matter"? We might want announcers (who are barely competent play by play) to call the game rather than discussing the virtues of gun control? Who would have imagined! Next up...
44% said they have been less likely to watch live sports and entertainment shows because they have become too political
Hmm... So, you mean it's almost like half of the country isn't "with Her". And here's one more nugget as they located those who had previously watched the Academy Awards but didn't this year (there was a 19% decline yoy).
47% of the poll’s respondents who tuned out of this year’s Oscars claimed their reason for not watching was the politicization of the award show.
Here's one additional observation... In the earlier stages those who were turned off by politics when they'd show up in entertainment might tune out when it'd occur during the entertainment. Increasingly many aren't tuning into many forms of entertainment they used to enjoy in the first place because of the expectation of it.