September 19, 2024

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The NFL’s TV ratings momentum has met no resistance, as the league keeps building on exceptional 2023 viewership numbers. The question now is not whether more people are watching, but how many more.

— David Rumsey [[link removed]], Eric Fisher [[link removed]], and Colin Salao [[link removed]]

NFL Ratings Soaring, but Is Peacock Game Skewing Numbers? [[link removed]]

The Tennessean

NFL viewership is up heading into Week 3 of the regular season. By how much? That depends on how you look at it.

Through two weeks of action, the average viewership of all NFL games is 18.7 million [[link removed]], 8% higher than the average audience during the first two weeks of the 2023 season.

However, this season included the league’s debut game in Brazil, an Eagles 34–29 win over the Packers, which was streamed exclusively on Peacock. That rare Friday night matchup in Week 1 drew 14.2 million viewers in prime time [[link removed]], including local over-the-air audiences in Philadelphia and Green Bay.

Since there’s no previous game window to compare that to, the NFL has been excluding it from its viewership reports [[link removed]]. Without the Peacock game, NFL broadcasts are averaging 19.7 million viewers—up 12% compared to last season, and the second highest on record through two weeks.

So, the story around NFL viewership to start the season is positive, either up 8% or 12%—dealer’s choice. And as the weeks go on, the impact of the Peacock stream on overall NFL numbers will lessen.

Chiefs Still Reign Supreme

After the Chiefs opened the 2024 season with a 27–20 victory over the Ravens that drew an NFL kickoff game record of 28.9 million viewers [[link removed]] on NBC, Kansas City delivered again in Week 2.

The Chiefs’ 26–25 last-second win over the Bengals garnered an audience of 27.9 million on CBS, which was the network’s most-watched September NFL game since 1998.

Rodgers, Cowboys in Spotlight

Week 3 begins Thursday night with Aaron Rodgers and the Jets hosting the Patriots in New York’s second of six prime-time contests [[link removed]] in the first 11 weeks of the season. ESPN platforms averaged 20.4 million viewers for the first of those Jets national spotlights—a 32–19 loss at the 49ers on Monday Night Football in Week 1.

On Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox and Tom Brady [[link removed]] will get the Cowboys for the third consecutive week. The matchup against reigning MVP Lamar Jackson and the surprisingly winless Ravens should draw another strong TV audience, especially with Dallas coming off a lopsided loss, adding to the drama. NBC gets another shot at the Chiefs, who visit the Falcons on Sunday night, with the added buzz that Taylor Swift might be in the house to watch.

Sixers’ $1.5B Arena Plan Gains Key Support, but Faces Fierce Opposition [[link removed]]

Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The 76ers’ push to build a downtown arena has never been easy or straightforward, and even with a new dose of support from Philadelphia mayor Cherelle Parker, an uphill path still awaits the NBA team.

Parker announced Wednesday a new agreement between her administration and the 76ers to develop a $1.55 billion arena in Philadelphia’s Center City, codifying to some degree more than two years of planning by the team to construct their own facility [[link removed]]. The agreement also appears to end, at least for now, a rival effort by New Jersey to bring the team across the river to neighboring Camden [[link removed]], though officials there are vowing to still make their case to the 76ers.

“This is a historic agreement,” Parker said in a video address [[link removed]]. “It is the best financial deal ever entered into by a Philadelphia mayor for a local sports arena. I wholeheartedly believe it is the right deal for the people of Philadelphia.”

The 76ers, not surprisingly, cheered the mayor’s moves.

“We are grateful to Mayor Parker and her team for their time and diligence in evaluating our proposal and look forward to advancing to the next steps with the city council,” the team said in a statement.

Just the Start

The proposed development, however, indeed must still move through the Philadelphia City Council, and approval there is far from assured. Opposition to the downtown arena proposal remains fierce in the local Asian American community, which protested the mayoral agreement in front of City Hall on Wednesday.

That sentiment could very well influence what happens when the council takes up the issue, something expected to happen this fall. Most of the 17-member council has yet to take a public position on the arena. Philadelphia’s Chinatown is about a block from the proposed arena location, and concerns there have run the gamut from traffic to potential gentrification and the forcing out of incumbent ethnic communities.

“Mayor Parker still hasn’t met with Chinatown after all this time, yet feels she can have a stance on whether our community should live or die,” said Debbie Wei, a longtime Chinatown activist. “This was never about one person, and this fight is far from over. We are going to fight this, and we are going to the mat. It’s on.”

Eagles legend Jason Kelce, meanwhile, went on WIP-FM on Thursday [[link removed]] and similarly criticized the proposal and 76ers ownership, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment.

“I prefer [the team] stays in south Philly, unquestionably,” Kelce said. “They’re strong-arming the city. What do you do? Do you risk losing the Sixers? It just sucks.”

No Change in South Philadelphia

Comcast Spectacor, owner and operator of Wells Fargo Center where the 76ers currently play, is maintaining its stance regarding the team. An offer has long stood for the team to stay in the existing south Philadelphia sports complex after the current lease expires in 2031. Executives for Comcast Spectacor, which also owns the NHL’s Flyers, have also proposed an equal partnership with the 76ers on a new arena in the existing sports complex that would house both the basketball and hockey teams.

As that offer has remained, both Comcast Spectacor and HBSE have also sought to fortify their respective arena development efforts [[link removed]] in recent months. HBSE has shown no interest in staying at Wells Fargo Center, but Comcast Spectator is still making overtures.

“Regardless of the outcome of the city’s negotiations with HBSE, our door will always be open for the 76ers to join us in south Philadelphia if they ever conclude that is what is best for their team,” said Dan Hilferty, Comcast Spectacor chair and CEO.

SPONSORED BY U.S. BANK

Family Game Night With Napheesa Collier

Behind every great athlete is a dedicated team that turns personal aspirations into collective triumphs. From coaches and mentors to family and friends, this support system plays a crucial role in an athlete’s success. That’s the power of us [[link removed]].

Since winning the 2019 Rookie of the Year, Napheesa Collier has gained invaluable life and financial wisdom. In just a few short years, Phee has navigated several major milestones: winning multiple gold medals, getting married, signing a three-year pro contract, becoming a mother, playing overseas, and launching a new business venture. Through it all, her family has been a steadfast support system, guiding her to success on and off the court.

Learn more about Napheesa’s Untold Team [[link removed]].

LOUD AND CLEAR House Divided

Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

“I’d say maybe half the players on LIV want the deal to get done, half probably don’t. I’d say it’s probably similar on the PGA Tour.”

—Rory McIlroy, on efforts by the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia to come to an agreement [[link removed]] that would potentially unify men’s professional golf. McIlroy, speaking ahead of a DP World Tour event in England that teed off Thursday, said the Department of Justice’s inquiry [[link removed]] into the PGA Tour–PIF talks is also still a hurdle for the two parties [[link removed]]. “It would benefit some people for a deal not to get done, but it would obviously benefit some people for a deal to get done,” he added of the divided thoughts between both PGA Tour and LIV Golf players.

AWARD

The Front Office Sports Most Impactful Award celebrates organizations that leverage their power and platform to create positive change beyond generating revenue and expanding their business.

Nominations are open through Oct. 6 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Prices increase after Sept. 22— nominate now [[link removed]] for the best rate.

STATUS REPORT Three Up, One Push

Jessica Rapfogel-Imagn Images

Billie Jean King ⬆ The tennis legend will be the first individual female athlete to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, according to the Associated Press. The medal is the highest civilian honor bestowed by the U.S. Congress. Past athletes to receive the award include Jackie Robinson, Jack Nicklaus, and the entire 1980 U.S. Summer Olympic team. A bill to honor King was introduced last September, the 50th anniversary of “The Battle of the Sexes,” when she defeated Bobby Riggs in what is still the most-watched tennis match. The bill has now passed the House of Representatives and will be sent to President Joe Biden for his signature.

Lions ⬆ The NFL Players Association released the list of the top 50 player sales this season, which includes all merchandise, from jerseys and bobbleheads to plush toys. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud beat out Patrick Mahomes to top the list, but Detroit players were littered all over the top 10. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, the highest-ranked defensive player, was third, while receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was fourth, and running back Jahmyr Gibbs was eighth. The Eagles were the only other team with multiple players in the top 10 (Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley).

Bryce Young ⬆⬇ Panthers coach Dave Canales said the team has no plans to trade the 2023 No. 1 pick just days after he announced they would bench him for Andy Dalton. The Panthers, who signed Young to a four-year, $38 million rookie deal last year, have the option to trade or release the quarterback [[link removed]], which could offer him a fresh start but could also look like an even bigger indictment of all parties involved.

Women’s Super League ⬆ With the European soccer league set to kick off this weekend, research by Sky Sports shows 88% of respondents believe watching female athletes on TV inspires young girls to play sports. The U.K. has reportedly seen an uptick in youth women’s soccer [[link removed]] since it hosted the UEFA Women’s Euro in 2022. Sky Sports will air 44 WSL games this year.

SPONSORED BY LAVER CUP

Laver Cup, Federer, and Future of Tennis

Ahead of the Laver Cup this week, chairman Tony Godsick sits down with Front Office Sports editor-in-chief Dan Roberts.

Roberts and Godsick discuss what makes the tournament the “ Ryder Cup of Tennis [[link removed]],” how it’s evolved, and what to expect from this year’s event and beyond.

Plus, a conversation about what it’s been like to represent Roger Federer as he moved from Nike to Uniqlo and On Brand, as well as why tennis is strongly positioned for sustained success [[link removed]] in the U.S.

Watch the full interview [[link removed]].

Conversation Starters Oklahoma’s $1 billion Rock Creek Entertainment District, which includes a new arena for Sooners basketball and gymnastics, has been approved by the Norman City Council [[link removed]]. South Florida released a look at the new student section in its $340 million stadium. It will have a bull-shaped design and seat more than 8,000 fans. Take a look [[link removed]]. FOS Explains details the rise of Suns and Mercury owner Mat Ishbia, who purchased the teams for $4 billion last year. Check it out [[link removed]]. Editors’ Picks Woj Retirement Took Even ESPN Bosses by Surprise [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]A source said “Woj’s worst nightmare would have been Shams breaking the news of his retirement.” Gag Order Could Complicate Brett Favre’s Congressional Testimony on Welfare Scandal [[link removed]]by A.J. Perez [[link removed]]The Hall of Fame QB is set to appear before Congress next week. Several Schools Are Interested in Joining the Mountain West [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]Sacramento State and New Mexico State are among those looking to move. Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Podcast [[link removed]] Written by David Rumsey [[link removed]], Eric Fisher [[link removed]], Colin Salao [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Or Moyal [[link removed]], Catherine Chen [[link removed]]

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