[TexasKamaAina]

The NFL is a marketing phenomenon that began in the late '60s. The first superbowl filled only 2/3 of the stadium. Then, with increased marketing savvy, the NFL was able to promote their product until football became what it is today.

There are a lot of factors contributing to the public's declining interest in football. But anything that depends so heavily on marketing will ultimately peak. People begin to ask themselves if they really want it. One clear signal was when there was more interest in the superbowl commercials than in the game.

Let's face it. Football can be a pretty tedious form of entertainment. Folks aren't as willing to be sold the idea that they enjoy it.

[littleharbour]

Maybe because people like me - a hardcore NFL fan for 40+ years - have stopped watching.

[Wilhelm Tell]

Do you think other sports might becpme more popular if people get tired of football’s near monopoly?

[Jeff Chandler]

I’m impressed with the number of intelligent, emotion-free responses on this thread.

[Alberta's Child]

One clear signal was when there was more interest in the superbowl commercials than in the game.

Excellent point. When I look back and try to remember when -- and why -- my interest in the NFL started to decline, this was one of things that immediately comes to mind.

[Pollster1]

So the NFL is a pet rock or a hula hoop that lasted longer than comparable nonsense products? I’ll buy that. If these multi-millionaires are both oppressed and so disengaged that even during the game they can focus on their hatred for those who pay the bills, the NFL is as useless as a box with a “pet rock” in it.