There is a horrible secret about the NFL anthem protests.
Donald Trump revealed it to the public and it will change everything.
And the NFL is in a panic that it may spread like wildfire.
Millions of Americans are wondering why NFL owners are tolerating these anti-American protests.
Players who kneel during the star spangled banner are spitting on the memory of America’s fallen heroes as well as the flag they fought for.
Ratings are down and every public survey lists the protests as the number one reason fans are tuning out.
Lower ratings is costing the league’s broadcast partners hundreds of millions of dollars as they are forced to deliver “make good” ads to their sponsors.
So why are the owners going along with actions that are directly hurting their business?
Trump said it’s because the owners fear their players.
Politico reports:
“NFL team owners are hesitant to stop their players from kneeling in protest during the national anthem because “they’re afraid of their players,” President Donald Trump said Wednesday, insisting that they should ban the practice for the entire league.
“I have so many friends that are owners. And they’re in a box. I mean, I’ve spoken to a couple of them. They say, ‘We are in a situation where we have to do something,’” Trump said in an interview with Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” that was taped Wednesday and aired Thursday morning. “I think they’re afraid of their players, you want to know the truth, and I think it’s disgraceful. And they’ve got to be tough and they’ve got to be smart.”
The owners were afraid if they demanded that their players stand for the anthem – or if it even looked like they were siding with Trump – that they would face a player strike.
If players refused to take the field or show up to the games it would be forfeited and fans and advertisers would demand refunds.
The owners were betting that the consequences of fan outrage over anti-American protests would be less than the backlash they would face if the players skipped showing up for work.
But is that true?
Ratings are down.
Social media was filled with videos of fans burning their tickets and team gear.
And the ticket reseller StubHub was offering a ten percent discount to every NFL game this weekend.
One advertiser – a Cleveland businessman who purchased spots for three different entities he owns – pulled all his ads from NFL games for the rest of the season because he slammed the league for tolerating unpatriotic protests.
The NFL owners were faced with a difficult choice.
They could side with their players or their customers.
The owners lined up with anti-American players.
And it could cost them big time.
