I think the difference is accumulative: Once the “addictive habit” of “automatically” watching a TV game, of spending so many thousands for a in-stands game (plus the hours of driving there-parking-waiting-watching-waiting-leaving-driving back time required) are broken a little bit, the advantages and freedom of having time back will convince others.
(probably deserves it own thread):
Worse, the league is losing its core fans, according to a survey by the Winston Group in October. Upshot: "Prior to the recent NFL National Anthem controversy, the NFL had a favorability with 57% of those surveyed. Post controversy, only 44% had a favorable image of the NFL." More critically for the NFL, according to the Winston Group, "the fall off in favorables occurred among important audiences. Among males, NFL favorables fell 23 percentage points, going from 68% to 45%. In looking at a more specific audience, males 34-54, NFL favorables fell 31 percentage points, going from 73% to 42%.
Among this group the NFL has a surprising negative image, as it went from +54% (73% favorable-19% unfavorable) in August to -5% (42% favorable-47% unfavorable) in September.
My opinion? The number of people that are all-in for the NFL has fallen more than the aforementioned numbers. Viewership is being propped up by fantasy sports enthusiasts, which suggests to me attendance will be even lower next season.