NFL Suffers Drop in Viewers This Season

BY ESPN

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday that the league does not think it has lost viewers despite a 10 percent drop in television ratings this season.

At the same time, however, he acknowledged that league officials are trying to understand what has caused the drop and how to address it.

Speaking after the league's fall meetings in Houston, Goodell said it is important not just to get viewers tuned in but also to "get them to stay tuned in" to game broadcasts.

"When you look at ratings you have to go deeper than that," Goodell said. "Its viewers, but also how long they're engaging for, and a lot of times, people will leave a game for whatever reason, whether it's to go to other programming or whether the game is not that competitive."

Goodell said neither he nor the league's broadcast partners believe player protests of the national anthem have played a role in the drop. But he did note a relative lack of competitive games in prime time and the contentious presidential election and debate schedule as partial explanations.

"There a lot of factors to be considered," he said. "We don't make excuses. We try to figure out what's changing."

Also at the meetings, Goodell heard what he called a "factual" presentation of the Oakland Raiders' interest in relocating to Las Vegas. Goodell, however, said "there is still a great deal of information that we need to gather with respect to the circumstances in Oakland and also the challenges," indicating that resolution of the issue shouldn't be expected quickly.

Nevada lawmakers recently approved $750 million in public money to be used toward a domed stadium that would open in 2020. Billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson has pledged $650 million toward the project, but Goodell said NFL owners have not been briefed on the structure of that offer. The Raiders could apply for relocation as early as January 15, 2017.

There will be follow-up discussion "maybe as early as December but more likely later than that," Goodell said.

In other meeting news:

    Goodell offered no apologies for the uptick in taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties this season. "We do believe that our players are role models and others look at that at the youth level," he said, "so that's important for us. And it's part of being a professional. That's one element of it. We have taunting and it's a significant issue, and taunting fouls are up this year. It's probably a combination of making that a point of emphasis, and we look at that as sportsmanship. In most cases when somebody taunts somebody else, somebody reacts and it can escalate quickly. People may not like the rule. They may not like the line that's been drawn, but we believe it's part of being a professional league.

    Goodell said owners spent much of Wednesday morning discussing the league's collective bargaining agreement, which has reached its halfway point and will expire in 2021. The deal has worked "incredibly well" for players and owners, Goodell said.

Chicago Bears

The Bears will be without receiver Eddie Royal (toe) on Thursday night, and guard Josh Sitton is doubtful because of a bad ankle. Sitton's lack of availability is particularly disappointing because he played for Green Bay until it shockingly released him before Week 1. The only piece of good news is cornerback Tracy Porter (knee) is questionable after having limited participation in Wednesday's walk-through. Porter had an interception and several pass breakups in Chicago's upset win at Lambeau Field last season. -- Jeff Dickerson

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts will be without three of their top five receivers against Tennessee if Phillip Dorsett (hamstring) doesn't play. Dorsett didn't practice Wednesday, and coach Chuck Pagano is calling the second-year receiver day to day. Not having Dorsett will put an even more amount of pressure on T.Y. Hilton because Indianapolis is already without Donte Moncrief (shoulder) and Quan Bray (ankle). -- Mike Wells