The anti-American anthem protests are a problem for the NFL.
The league watched viewership drop by a big margin as fans turned away.
But NFL broadcasters are trying a new solution to deal with the problem of anthem protests.
League In Decline
The NFL is the most popular sport in America, but for the first time in years, the league saw a two-year drop in popularity.
Although the NFL suffered from scandals about concussions, domestic abuse, and bad officiating, the league kept its popularity.
However, the protests started by free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick brought a new level of scandal.
America was so disgusted by the protests, many fans canceled their season tickets.
Some franchises apologized to their season ticket holders.
Band-Aid Policies
First, the NFL tried compromise, but that strategy didn’t work.
The players continued their protest after receiving a promise from the owners of $89 million for players’ causes.
Next, Goodell put in a new policy that made players stand for the anthem, or stay in the locker room.
However, Goodell pressed pause on the rule after pushback from the players’ union.
Now NFL broadcasters are trying a new strategy: not showing the live feed of the anthem.
ESPN was the first to state the policy, then NBC and CBS jumped on the bandwagon.
While not showing the anthem shields viewers from the protests, it doesn’t stop them. It also punishes fans who enjoy the anthem.
Trump Strikes Back
Donald Trump has his hand on America’s pulse on this issue.
The American people do not like the protests.
He believes the players should stand and salute the flag.
Most Americans agree with him.
When Trump heard of the new broadcast blackout rule, he was mad.
Trump said in an email, “Just after we heard a sitting governor trash America, ESPN has now decided it will no longer play the National Anthem before Monday Night Football.”
The governor is New York Democrat Andrew Cuomo.
As reported by Great American Daily, Cuomo recently made an anti-American statement.
Trump continued, “If ‘America’ is too offensive for anyone in our country, then what are they doing in America?”
Most Americans are on Trump’s side, especially when the protesters in question make millions of dollars.
“I’m calling on you to join me in denouncing this SPINELESS surrender to the politically correct liberal mob. I was the first person to sign this petition. Now I need you to follow my lead and be the second,” Trump concluded.
Trump’s patriotic rhetoric is in stark contrast to leftists.
Democrats like Texas senatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke treat the anthem protesters like American heroes.
The protesting players are ruining the sport for all.
Fans don’t like the protests.
League owners don’t like the protests.
Sponsors don’t like the protests.
And most players probably don’t like the protests, either.
Out of the 1,700 players in the league, fewer than five percent protested.
But the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Hopefully, President Trump will continue to make some noise.