season and has continued.  Certainly the political stuff this year didn't help, but IMO, it is hardly close to the main reason even though our potus would want you to believe that.  The piece does a good job of pointing out some of the likely reasons.  IMO, the officiating and replay is a big part of it that isn't really mentioned.  Honestly, the officiating sucks and it is not up to the level of play and hasn't been for some time.  Replay has gotten more and more intrusive, and although getting it right is critical, it slows the games down and happens far too often, IMO.  Don't even get me started on how the games are called and that the NFL basically doesn't know at this moment what really is a catch and what is pass interference.  The refs don't know but your average football fan can look at a play and tell you that PI happens on almost every play.  Your everage fan can also tell you what is and isn't a catch.  The NFL has a major problem with officiating and the impact that has on the enjoyment of people watching the games.

Now I think there are other very strong negative factors.  Kids are not playing football as much.  That's a fact.  There is actually TOO MUCH NFL football.  I used to look forward to MNF b/c I knew it was the last game I would get to see until Sunday.  Not anymore!  I get a crappy Thursday game, sometimes there are Friday games, etc etc.  And don't even gett me started on preseason - that should be 2 games MAX.  Nobody but the NFL gives a #badword# about the preseason games, and all they do is dilute the product and wear the players out. 

Also, what about prices?  It is incredibly expensive to go to an NFL game.  Going to games in person is a huge part of what hooked me on football as a kid, college ball and NFL. For me to take my family to an ATL game is it going to be $500+ for the day when you factor in tix, meals, parking, concessions, etc.  The product simply isn't worth that money aymore, IMO.

BBG

the NFL has priced out its biggest fans. 

And kids stopped going to NFL games decades ago. The problem with that, an entire generation did not grow up going to and watching NFL games. Same is true for college football, but to a lesser extent.

So when these people become adults with spending power, they don't have any reference for spending that money on football. They played video games while mom and dad were at the game.

Look at college for further evidence. Students with tickets to the game choose not to use them because it's too hot and they can drink at their house and go out later that night. It's more comfortable that way.

They didn't grow up enduring the heat and don't have years of fond associations with the traditions of college football, and the tradition of actually going to games.

The problem is growing because more and more longtime fans are being priced out of their tickets, in the NFL and on college campuses. This is a dangerous game because those corporate blocks go away when the economy dips. And those customers/clients who were gifted tickets likely only go to games when they are given tickets.