I am boycotting the Super Bowl...join me...

[tgards79]

The NFL, by its terrible handling of the Ray Rice domestic violence case, and a host of other actions, has had a disastrous year. If it were a team, it would not have come close to making the playoffs. The actions it has taken to rectify this situation smack of public relations desperation. We need to penalize the NFL in the only way that matters: ratings. Boycott the Super Bowl and send Roger Goodell a message. Join me:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/337/804/881/boycott-the-super-bowl/

[el_bryanto]

1. Can you boycott something you never watch anyway? nt

[hollysmom]

15. I find it a great day to get out and see a play or movie or just eat a quiet dinner out

in a nice quiet place, also a good day to go shopping. it is like an "I can live my life without crowds" holiday as long as I am home before the game is over and the drunks are on the road.

[CrispyQ]

27. Ditto!

[easychoice]

53. Yep,me too

its nice when the crowd is busy elsewhere.

[Sherman A1]

48. The question which I would have asked as well

I haven't watched it, since probably Super Bowl 3 or so and could really care less about any "professional" sport. I will join your "can't boycott something you never watch anyway?" effort.

[ChosenUnWisely]

51. +1

I don't even hang out with people or have friends who watch football.

Only people I know who even watch football are co workers and most a rabid football fans so they will watch no matter what.

[Coventina]

105. PUPPY BOWL!!!!!

And, like others have mentioned, a GREAT day to take advantage of other amenities.

I love Super Bowl Sunday, it's like that great SNL "TV Funhouse" episode "Christmastime for the Jews."

It's Super Bowl for the sports-averse!!!!!

[bigwillq]

2. No, thanks.

I will be watching.

I think the ads have already been paid for, so the NFL will make its money regardless.

I agree that the NFL needs to clean up its image, and do a better job of handling the situations that has plagued it this past year, but not watching this year's Super Bowl won't really make a difference.

[tgards79]

13. But...

...if this year's ratings are lower, next year's ads will go for less. It's simple. Think about it!

[bigwillq]

16. Possibly.

But it still will be a ton of $$$$$

[tgards79]

31. Yes, but LESS money and that matters a great deal! They want GROWTH.

[NCjack]

106. A better approach? Watch the games and buy none of the advertised products. nt

[oberliner]

3. I don't see this getting much traction

Sadly, it seems that the serious issues relating to domestic violence and child abuse that seemed so important to the NFL in the early months of the seasons have been wiped clean by many Sundays of enjoyable football and the nonsense about cheating.

I wish you well though in your endeavor.

[SheilaT]

4. Nothing to boycott, since I don't watch it.

And I suspect that all those who do watch the game are going to do so no matter what.

I love Superbowl Sunday because it's a great time to do other things. Movies, bookstores, dinner at a restaurant that doesn't have TV screens.

[zappaman]

5. No thanks and rest assured one less viewer won't be noticed. n/t

[tgards79]

11. That is quite an attitude. One, no. But many, yes.

[uppityperson]

6. How will they know if I don't watch?

[tgards79]

10. Because the ratings will be lower!

[uppityperson]

18. huh? I've an old TV, no one could monitor what I watch. How would they know

whether or not I watch? I discovered by accident a few years ago that Superbowl Sunday was a great day to fly as planes are not very full. It was odd, less than a quarter full.

[yeoman6987]

30. Only if you are a Nielsen family and there are only

about 1,000 families that control our viewing. Whether we watch or not makes zero difference.

[tgards79]

32. Ugh, you people.

Neilsen families reflects what we all do. If we spread the word we will get Neilsen families, too. Plus, sign the petition and let Goodell know! A million names will get his attention.

[yeoman6987]

36. No because I am watching the game

No way do I want this boycotted. The event of year in sports. No way!

[roody]

7. I have boycotted it all my life.

[LawDeeDah]

9. Me too. I don't understand the attraction.

It's all stupid on so many levels... ohboy.

[smirkymonkey]

49. My answer exactly.

I just don't get it, I guess.

[abakan]

45. You took my answer...Thanks

[yeoman6987]

38. Me too!

I am boycotting the pro bowl game too. On Superbowl Sunday I will be watching the game.

[KMOD]

46. Me three

[ChazII]

70. I will not be boycotting

the Pro Bowl or the Super Bowl. Both are being played right here in Arizona. May those who are boycotting the games can endorse Tiger Woods and the PGA. They are playing here as well during the Super Bowl weekend.

The Fan Fest (or name like that) is being held on my side of the valley so I will not be boycotting that either. Many small bistros and cafés close by so the 'little guy' will be able to make more money these next few weeks.

[ballabosh]

92. I'll boycott the Puppy Bowl

Actually I won't. They're just too cute!

[Blue_Tires]

12. I would, but a friend of the family is playing in it

[Suich]

62. Cool!

Who is it? Can you say?

[Blue_Tires]

64. It's Russell Wilson...

(and yes, I'm dead serious)

[Suich]

67. LOL!

My first thought was, "Are you serious?"

I'm jealous of you and incredibly impressed with Russell Wilson!

[kwassa]

68. Wow. He is such a talent.

He might be the dominant quarterback of the next decade.

[Xyzse]

14. Since I don't watch football... Or sports for that matter, well...

I am not really the right person to ask, even if I agree.

[tgards79]

43. You can still sign a petition!

[upaloopa]

17. I am boycotting it because I don't care about

football and I esdpecially won't get my undies in a wad about under inflated footballs.
It is a great time to do anything else because nothing will be crowded except sports bars.

[tgards79]

33. HOw do you feel about domestic violence. Is that important enough for you?

[upaloopa]

90. I can separate domestic violence from football

The perps who work for the NFL are no different than perps who work for any place. They are perps. Where they earn their money doesn't change that.

[Ykcutnek]

19. I watch for the commercials.

I hear Carl's Jr. is running one this year that will make one salivate.

[olddots]

20. Superbowl Sunday was allways a great day to go somewhere .

So no everyone please sit at home and watch 19 hours of dreck so the rest of us can go out and live .. just kidding ?

[leveymg]

21. Another phony scandal intended to drum up interest. Yawn.

[tgards79]

34. This si about domestic violence. Not deflated footballs.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

22. There's neither a team I'm rooting for to lose or to win this year

so I probably won't watch.

[chillfactor]

23. I never watch the superbowl or football for that matter....

supposedly grown men hitting each other to see what permanent damage they can cause each other is just plain sick!

[TheCowsCameHome]

24. "r-i-i-i-i-i-i-p" "r-i-i-i-i-i-p* There go my 50-yard-line tickets

All set.

[11 Bravo]

25. Sorry, I've watched every SB since Super Bowl I in 1967.

I even saw a delayed tape of the '71 game when I was otherwise occupied in SE Asia. I won't be ending the streak this year.

[JaneyVee]

26. This will be an extremely high ratings Super Bowl.

[Ilsa]

28. it'll be easy for me to ignore it. nt

[yeoman6987]

29. Nope. Have friends coming over for the annual

Super Bowl party. I am not disappointing 20 people at this stage of the game. I have been heading it for 10 years and look forward to it. Some football players make mistakes. So do many Americans, shall I boycott America? Lol.

[tgards79]

35. Glad domestic violence means so little to you.

[yeoman6987]

37. Nobody on either team did any domestic violence

I don't care a bit about deflated football nonsense media driven story. You are free to not watch and thank goodness I am free to happily and exitedly watch which I will be doing.

[tgards79]

40. This is NOT about the stupid footballs!!!! Read it!

It IS about domestic violence, brain damage, callous disregard of native Americans, cheerleader abuse, etc....need I say more?

[yeoman6987]

42. Go patriots! I actually hope they win!

Should be an exciting game for sure. I imagine there will be OPs about it that day and Monday.

[Kingofalldems]

61. Is there any position on DU that you agree with?

[yeoman6987]

80. Since when is football a DU position

I could care less if you don't like football. No skin off my back.

[kwassa]

72. I fully support your boycotting the Superbowl. I will think of you while watching the game.

Most of the abuses you describe exist in all other parts of American society, so singling out the NFL is disingenuous. The one major exception is CTE.

[cherokeeprogressive]

55. So you're saying boycott the Super Bowl, or embrace domestic violence? Hit the bricks.

[pipi_k]

87. Even worse than that!!!

Either boycott the Superbowl or embrace...nay...support and perpetuate...violence, child abuse, cheating, drug use, sexism, racism

AND

MURDER!!

Because, you know, Aaron Hernandez...

[ballabosh]

95. There is domestic violence in every profession

Firemen, teachers, chefs. Should I boycott all of those too? Is there any statistical study that there is more domestic violence in NFL players than any other profession? If I boycott every profession with an instance of domestic violence, then I might as well not interact with anyone in the world. In fact I'd guess that there's someone on DU who has been guilty of domestic violence. So I guess I should just sign off now.

[JonLP24]

99. There has been studies done and studies show it is hardly the hotbed as it is being described

The NFL crime rate is much lower than the general population even in the young male demographic. I was in the military & the standard fare of the NFL crime blotter are usually much of the same I saw in the military, a lot of DUIs, domestic violence, drugs, assault, and the occasional Aaron Hernandez though the military has jobs where you can legally kill.

http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/the-rate-of-domestic-violence-arrests-among-nfl-players/

[ballabosh]

108. Thanks for that. Very interesting. NT

[ileus]

39. If I get a nielsen rating call I'll deny watching it....win win for everyone.

[easychoice]

57. not necessarily

Neilson has called me a bunch of times about what I am watching.

[pipi_k]

88. I got one of those

Stupid written diary things in the mail

What a pain in the ass that was

[easychoice]

89. I thought mine were because I have a dish.

I like Dish TV

[yuiyoshida]

44. I have not watched any Football since

The Raiders stunk up the NFL this year. Shocked to see two other teams who were worse, so Oakland won't even get that important first round draft pick. I will probably check in on the NFL draft to see who they get, but my football season was over early.. as for the Superbowl.. I don't have a dog in this fight, Seattle? The Patriots? I don't care.. and I am not interested.

I am waiting for Baseball Season to start! GO GIANTS!

[Jamaal510]

109. The Raiders

may not have made the playoffs, but I admit it was fun to watch Pizza Boy Manning and Horse Face Elway choke again, and hearing about their staff imploding afterwards along with all their fans getting quiet who talked shit about the Raiders.

[kydo]

47. No way! Its a great match up.

Now all the pre-game stuff, that's a waste. What is it like 6-7 hours of every human interest football related fluff and is about as exciting as the pro bowl. But the actual Super Bowl this year is a great match up, should be a good game.

[daredtowork]

50. Another reason- our TV package bills!!!

The chief reason the TV bill goes up every year is everyone is subsidizing the HUMONGOUS cost of sports packages that not everyone watches.

Time to cut loose those sports channels, offer the rest at a reasonable price for "entertainment" (remember in the viewer mind TV wth commercials should be free), and let sports fans pay for their fix a la carte.

Refuse to watch the Super Bowl so it loses its power as a bargaining chip.

[JonLP24]

100. More than likely it is going up due to the demand for these sports packages

They agree to pay a per subscriber fee as they do with all with all channels & packages, ESPN receives the highest per subscriber (and it isn't close) fee for a basic cable channel and the reason for that is because you can image the outrage if that ESPN screen is ever black.

I agree with your suggestion in the second paragraph but a big part of the negotiations with SEC, Big Ten network, etc is they want to be included in the basic or standard packages. A big reason why a Directv & the Pac 12 Network still hasn't agreed to terms is they didn't offer to do the same, which was to include them in a standard package and also the SEC agreed to receive a lower per subscriber fee outside of the Southeastern Conference states. This will all completely change when the existing contracts run out (most of the marquee games are already available on ESPN, ABC, Fox Sports) & the completely independent Pac-12 network will have sole power over the broadcast rights to their games and commercials like this will make more sense --

Also hundreds of other providers has already agreed with the Pac-12 Network's terms. Directv had an earlier stalemate with the SEC Network & the outrage was epic from their own subscribers.

Really all this is agreement with the points you make basically, where I differ it isn't so much they're subsidized in that they gain more viewers & more money than they would lose if they didn't have these deals. And everyone is subsidizing channels they don't watch in a way though providers love to make the excuse why they "have to" jack up your bill, they do it because they can. If they lost too many subscribers that outweighed the subscribers gained they wouldn't do this.

Super Bowl would lose a little bit a power but the NFL has already agreed with its one & only provider to a massive long-term deal on the NFL Sunday Ticket with Directv last year which the AT&T merger hinged on. If Directv didn't score the Sunday Ticket, the merger wouldn't happen. However, the NFL broadcast contracts are entirely on national broadcast networks & available without cable or satellite with the exceptions of the Monday Night games & the 1 wild card game (which all are broadcast on an antenna channel locally to the teams in the match-up).

[daredtowork]

101. My basic misery comes from the fact that

I don't watch sports at all. Yet I have to carry the cost of ESPN to get everything else.

[riqster]

52. I am a Browns fan, and never expect to have a reason to watch the Super Bowl.

[img][/img]

[ballabosh]

96. OK, that cracked me up.

Keep the faith!

[riqster]

104. Always.

I may not be smart, but I am loyal.

[Skittles]

54. ooh

does that include the pools?

[tularetom]

56. Way ahead of ya dude

I've been boycotting the Stupor Bowl for the last 5 years or so.

The flag waving bullshit before the game starts, the shitty, over produced halftime shows, even the ads suck anymore.

Duck season closes this Sunday (1/25), so I don't even have that to fall back on.

I'll probably repair my deck weather permitting.

[gerogie2]

58. I'm going to boycott pizza

I'm sure some pizza delivery kid has smacked his sister or something like that.

[Evergreen Emerald]

59. GO HAWKS!!

Sorry, as much as I agree with you about their handling of DV issues...but...butt...GO HAWKS!!!

[dissentient]

60. Ok, I haven't watched it in years anyhow.

I have been busy hiding all the numerous threads about it, I couldn't care less about NFL football or what happened in a playoff game.

[RebelOne]

63. No problem. Never watch it anyway.

I am not a football fan.

[Initech]

65. Kind of a non sequitor here.

Don't get me wrong there's absolutely nothing funny about domestic violence, but if you're boycotting the Super Bowl this year, boycott because both teams are dirty cheaters. The Patriots got caught underinflating balls, while the Seahawks got busted time after time for performance enhancing drugs. That's a solid reason to boycott the Super Bowl.

[Adrahil]

66. Wasn't there a Super Bowl last year?

Do they HAVE to do one every year?



I'm not boycotting, but just like last year, I won't be watching. I honestly could not care less.

[Codeine]

69. I'm 44 and I've never watched one.

Guess I'm a trendsetter.

[MerryBlooms]

71. I have Meh'd before, but I don't know that I've ever Meh'd before with such intensity.

[Stephen Retired]

73. No thanks

{see avatar}

[Texasgal]

74. I'm not a big NFL fan

I prefer college football... but I will be watching the super bowl at an annual party with friends! We enjoy the commercials and the pageantry so sue me....

[MohRokTah]

75. No can do. I've been planning the menu for a month.

Jalepeno poppers, chicken wings, pulled pork sandwiches, all cooked on my Traeger:

http://www.traegergrills.com/

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

76. Super Bears Super Bowl

Look what we did in 3 weeks

GM: hired Ryan Pace
HC: hired John Fox
DC: hired Vic Fangio
OC: hired Adam Gase

[ballabosh]

97. +1000

Bear Down!

[hrmjustin]

77. I am still watching. There will be beer.

[Gemini Cat]

78. Let's see here...

No.

[Laffy Kat]

79. I volunteered to work that day.

Somehow, I imagine it will be a sloooow afternoon. I will be paid well for, um, probably reading.

[Travis_0004]

81. Nope. Ive already made plans.

[madokie]

82. Not me

[ellie]

83. Done and done

I approach football games and the Super Bowl as follows: Is this something i have to know and or care about? No? Good. I'm already there!

[benz380]

84. We're having a Puppy Bowl party like every year. nt

[pipi_k]

85. No but

I'll be boycotting chicken wings

Which I'm sure will hurt the chicken wing industry just about as much as boycotting the Super Bowl because of domestic violence, sexism, and whatever other issues people want to use to boycott it will help thse causes

Which means that unless someone here is actually going to be surveyed on their viewing habits, nobody is going to give a shit what some anonymous person in Fartsville, Idaho is watching on TV

[RiffRandell]

86. Oh FFS.

This one will probably get huge ratings, thanks to the Patriots.

[Vinca]

91. Me, too. Of course I boycott it every year. I hate football.

[LittleBlue]

93. Nah, I'm good

Seattle is in the SB. I don't see why what some other team's player did, off the field, means I should boycott something I might only see once in a lifetime.

The Seahawks were not involved in Ray Rice or Deflate-gate.

[B2G]

94. Have fun, my wings are already in the freezer. nt

[JonLP24]

98. What would boycotting the Super Bowl do to Ray Rice the NFL hasn't done already

If anything, I'd boycott for shaking down cities for taxpayer subsidies but I agree it was handled terribly but no team wants the PR disaster that would come with signing Ray Rice, plus running backs are generally dispensable, his backup had a 5+ YPC for the season (though this was under a Kubiak offense whose system is conducive for running backs but still highlights the low level, perhaps more strongly--they traded Clinton Portis and replaced him with two 900+ yard rushers 2 years later). Arizona quickly deactivated Jonathan Dwyer who was Arians go-to guy inside the 30 and short yardage situations, he even was forced to start the scout team running back later in the season (which brought up the ridiculous Ray Rice rumors which made no sense considering Dwyer was still on roster but still effectively cut & suspended without designated so & the ability to appeal).

You're talking about players who never even saw the field after being simply charged with domestic violence or similar crimes after Ray Rice. Of course it is PR, any actions taken as the result of a Super Bowl boycott would still be continuation of PR but at that point, what more would you want?

[bluestateguy]

102. Are you a Nielsen household?

If so, your boycott may make a very slight impact.

If not, thee NFL and all it's sponsors don't care what you do.

[nolabear]

103. Oh hell no. I'm in Seattle and supporting a team with some damn fine qualities.

It's fascinating to see the people in the area come together over this team.

The Northwest Natives feel honored by the usage of the Seahawk, and the original carving that the image came from has been brought to the city and given a place of honor. Last year the fact that Marshawn Lynch accepted a hand drum from a native fan during the parade, beat it all the way along the route and then returned it gave him massive respect among the people.

The repeated, bordering-on-bizarre fining (Kearse got fined for tossing that ball into the stands, for Chrissake) and the way they're just remaining who they are (Beastmode has a hell of a revolutionary streak. ) is fun to watch.

Their MAMAs are a BIG part of the action in a time when players disrespecting women is a big issue, and let me tell you those mamas are having a blast, as are all we mamas.

There's a huge fan contingent among the homeless, and people are really coming together to help them celebrate with rallies and goodies. Some of the interviews about how lovely it is to be a part of something when they feel so much on the margins are really touching.

I have never been a football fan. In fact, I was an anti-fan. But you just can't resist this experience. It feels good. It's the up side of a sport that admittedly has far too many down sides.

[AngryAmish]

107. This year, again, we are hosting Le Super Bowl.

A feast of heavy, animal fat laden French food. Cassoulet, duck fat potatoes, potato leek soup and maybe a veg might find the plate. Rich enough to make Julia Child cry uncle.

Might swap out onion soup for potato leek because of all the starches. But I'm Irish, dammit. I have to go argue with my wife.

Wine? Yes, there will be wine. Hoping to plate right at half, let me watch last 5 min.

I love Le Super Bowl.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

110. I'll be watching anything British on PBS.

Just a regular Sunday night to me...