If I can get it in my area, I might turn on the Seahawks game just so I can see if they do so. That would probably raise their ratings.
However, if they do not stand, I will turn the channel. Hope somehow millions of others do, too. Would this then lower their ratings? I hope that can be measured somehow.
I’m not sure how that works. It probably takes a long time to tell just what the ratings are doing? I think they get the most money from TV contracts anyhow.
I guess my point is that yes the extra publicity might increase interest while your average casual fan might not care too much about kneeling/standing during the anthem or whatever. I tend to think there are probably very very few controversies the NFL really doesn’t want to be talked about in the news cycle. They probably figure most publicity is good publicity except maybe brain injury over time and PEDs.
FReegards