2025-2026 NFL Thread

[maflynn]

The recent ESPN piece on the controversial choice of the SB halftime performer made clear the league's ambitions, and how they guided that choice.

My issue with the Super Bowl halftime shows is that the artists being chosen don’t really represent the core fanbase. The Super Bowl is definitely a spectacle, but the vast majority of viewers are tuning in because they’re football fans. Lately, the performers selected haven’t aligned well with that demographic.

For example, my daughters don’t care about football at all, but when halftime came around they showed up to watch the performance—and then left. Meanwhile, fans like me, who don’t enjoy the music choices, often just change the channel during halftime. From my perspective, that doesn’t seem like a win for the NFL.

You end up with people who don’t watch the game tuning in briefly for the halftime show, while people who are invested in the game skip the halftime show altogether. That’s just my opinion, and honestly, I don’t feel that strongly about it.

 

[pachyderm]

My issue with the Super Bowl halftime shows is that the artists being chosen don’t really represent the core fanbase. The Super Bowl is definitely a spectacle, but the vast majority of viewers are tuning in because they’re football fans. Lately, the performers selected haven’t aligned well with that demographic.

For example, my daughters don’t care about football at all, but when halftime came around they showed up to watch the performance—and then left. Meanwhile, fans like me, who don’t enjoy the music choices, often just change the channel during halftime. From my perspective, that doesn’t seem like a win for the NFL.

You end up with people who don’t watch the game tuning in briefly for the halftime show, while people who are invested in the game skip the halftime show altogether. That’s just my opinion, and honestly, I don’t feel that strongly about it.

This is also a very astute, and another I agree with 100%, observation.

I don't' care about any HT show. I've watched a few but not many. I don't want a concert I want a game.

 

[MBAir2010]

so

anyone watching the San Fran 29ers documentary yet?
the first two episodes were on netflix recently (as i have a cheap access to the video hence the 29 joke).
the narrative is nothing we dont already know but worth the watch as i learned some things about the 29ers.
and yes, the GGB was shown several times, a must when filming anything to do with San Fran.
when they show the bridge in a heavy dense fog, ya know the docu might not as be that good, or a victim was off'd.

 

[pachyderm]

so

anyone watching the San Fran 29ers documentary yet?
the first two episodes were on netflix recently (as i have a cheap access to the video hence the 29 joke).
the narrative is nothing we dont already know but worth the watch as i learned some things about the 29ers.
and yes, the GGB was shown several times, a must when filming anything to do with San Fran.
when they show the bridge in a heavy dense fog, ya know the docu might not as be that good, or a victim was off'd.

Not yet. I plan to eventually.

 

[MBAir2010]

Not yet. I plan to eventually.

the series is fun which is good since we grew as the 49ers did.
Randy Cross is funny!

Im not watching the superbore Xx6 (i never really do) as the static and the game
has gone downhill and unbearable for me.
therefore
i might watch some best superbowl games like the 1998 one or the Bill-Boys.2
were the '9ers ever involved in a close SB match? i dont think so
which says a lot about those teams.

 

[txa1265]

My issue with the Super Bowl halftime shows is that the artists being chosen don’t really represent the core fanbase. The Super Bowl is definitely a spectacle, but the vast majority of viewers are tuning in because they’re football fans. Lately, the performers selected haven’t aligned well with that demographic.

When has that ever NOT been true? Until 1990 it was essentially a 'high production college show', and 1993 with Michael Jackson was the first 'major production' ... and IMMEDIATELY we can get into a debate about 'core audience', but MJ was hugely popular enough that aside from hardcore Turning Point 'pointy white hat' types people were pretty amped. The following year was pandering country for the audience offended that BIPOC and LGBTQ+ people even exist. And since then you can really say that each year looks to cater to a specific subset of the viewership.

I think the question is this - exactly WHO is your 'core audience' amongst the 100 million watching the show? And WHAT is the goal of the halftime show? Is it to pander to people who watch every Sunday by playing Boomer music like the embarrassing Who show in 2010? Trying to hit with younger audiences only there for the halftime show by playing Katy Perry's excessively mediocre show dominated by a dancing shark going rogue? Or featuring some of the most popular artists of the current era as has been the trend in the 2020s (including the awful Weeknd show)? This year, like the last several, they have taken that final approach - the problem is that Turning Point and its supporters assumed they would have eradicated or subjugated the non-white population by now.

The NFL is a *brand* and the Super Bowl is its' premiere product - it feels inherently obvious that they would use that opportunity to try to attract as many viewers (i.e. as much money) as possible and try to get people to give the product a chance. It is why they have spent so much on outreach to women in a traditionally misogynistic sport, and now are spending billions on international games. Always follow the money.

 

[Madhatter32]

Pettiness at the Hall of Fame continues. Inexplicable.

 

[maflynn]

When has that ever NOT been true?

You seem rather worked up over the half time show and how the NFL chooses its artists.

Here's a breakdown of the demographics and it seems rather likely artists like bad bunny are not particularly favored by the the 35- to 65+ segments, maybe only the 18-24 and and the 25-24, the two smallest segments in the US.

 

[maflynn]

Pettiness at the Hall of Fame continues. Inexplicable.

Seems silly to put owners in the hall of fame anyways.

 

[Mousse]

Pettiness at the Hall of Fame continues. Inexplicable.

View attachment 2601567

Meh. They probably rubbed members of the selection committee the wrong way. If there's an obvious HoF snub, it's the omission of Bud Adams. Without him, there would be no NFL. His contribution to the game matches Lamar Hunt as they both co-founded the AFL. Both were major proponents of the AFL/NFL merger. Hunt is in the HoF, class of 1972. Bud Isn't.

From an objective stand point, Bud Adams not being in the Hall is a blatant snub. As a former Oilers fan and long time Houstonian, I can say I'm glad Bud got snubbed.🥳🥳🥳 He is arguably the most hated man in the history of Houston sports. I can't think of anyone who liked the man.

BB and Kraft will likely get in eventually. They aren't as hated as Bud Adams.

 

[maflynn]

This seems odd:
Falcons president Matt Ryan won't commit to Penix as starter

I don't see a path where the Falcons have a better quarterback then Penix. Just seems odd that the president (who used to be a QB) would cause unnecessary turmoil.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

My issue with the Super Bowl halftime shows is that the artists being chosen don’t really represent the core fanbase. The Super Bowl is definitely a spectacle, but the vast majority of viewers are tuning in because they’re football fans. Lately, the performers selected haven’t aligned well with that demographic.

For example, my daughters don’t care about football at all, but when halftime came around they showed up to watch the performance—and then left. Meanwhile, fans like me, who don’t enjoy the music choices, often just change the channel during halftime. From my perspective, that doesn’t seem like a win for the NFL.

You end up with people who don’t watch the game tuning in briefly for the halftime show, while people who are invested in the game skip the halftime show altogether. That’s just my opinion, and honestly, I don’t feel that strongly about it.

Completely and totally agree. The last halftime show that sucked me in was the Weeknd... That was how many years ago? I usually don't even watch...


I just checked. It was 5 years ago...

 

[AlumaMac]

When the half-time show comes on that's my signal to head to the kitchen and make nachos.

 

[txa1265]

Here's a breakdown of the demographics and it seems rather likely artists like bad bunny are not particularly favored by the the 35- to 65+ segments, maybe only the 18-24 and and the 25-24, the two smallest segments in the US.

If what you say is true, then WHY is the Super Bowl targeting artists popular with women and younger people in general? Why not put up more Boomer bands and Yacht Rock and other stuff like they did for a while in the 2000s/2010s?

Two things - representative statistics and growth.

The data you cite is general audience. Normal NFL games pull ~15 - 20 million viewers, the Super Bowl attracts ~5 TIMES that amount. There is a TON of money spent by those people and tons of ads put out to attract as many people as possible. The demographics watching on SB Sunday differ from normal games. My wife will sit down for ONE game each year, which is not uncommon.

If you look at the growth in the demographics shown here (SB Viewership Breakdown), it says that the 'top 10' increases in viewership are basically all women or young people 12 - 24. So while they still don't dominate viewership - they are the FUTURE. Older folks (especially MEN) are STAGNANT. Which again is why they are going international. They know things are stagnating locally.

 

[pachyderm]

Very clearly they've been trying to bring in women viewers for a while now.

 

[Mac Geezer]

You're Bad Bunny. You just appeared on the Grammys saying "ICE Out" and you're about to appear during the SB halftime show. Here's what you do. You walk onstage (this is a short show, time is of the essence and your English is not so bueno, but don't worry). You walk on with a Dunkin Cup in one hand. They're a huge sponsor it's cool and their locations are heavily concentrated in blue states, with Florida being the outlier and that has more to do with 'snowbirds'. This cup is one of those huge ice coffee cups. (see where I'm going) And, before you start singing you take the top off the cup, and incidentally it's not filled with any liquid just ice. You throw the ice out of the cup into the air and then fling the cup away as well. Then do your show. Point made. The people who love you will love you more. Most of the people who were Bad Bunny-curious will get the point and dig it. Those who hate you were either not watching or watching just to hate you more anyway. Dunkin's audience will love their brand so much there'll be even bigger lines. The NFL will have generated buzz but not blowback. It's the kind of reference SNL does all the time and this year's SB is on NBC-Peacock the very same network.

 

[C0ncreteBl0nde]

Very clearly they've been trying to bring in women viewers for a while now.

I'm in! 🤣

 

[maflynn]

So evidently, the pro bowl game was on last night - who knew? lol

I don't understand the logic in playing a game that largely does not draw many viewers anyways on a tuesday and I think without much marketing - I can't recall seeing any commercials on this. I can't imagine the ratings to be any good.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

So evidently, the pro bowl game was on last night - who knew? lol

I don't understand the logic in playing a game that largely does not draw many viewers anyways on a tuesday and I think without much marketing - I can't recall seeing any commercials on this. I can't imagine the ratings to be any good.

Yeah was it you, sir, that said we should just eliminate the Pro Bowl at this point? Just have an hour award show with the athletes on zoom and show clips of their greatness. Then we no longer need 50 alternates. If it wasn't you, it was still a great idea.

 

[maflynn]

Yeah was it you, sir, that said we should just eliminate the Pro Bowl at this point?

Didn't they change it to flag football? I'm sincerely curious.

I agree that its no needed, they keep trying to make it relevant and the fans keep ignoring it. At least move it back to Hawaii and let the players have some fun in the sun

 

[Macky-Mac]

My issue with the Super Bowl halftime shows is that the artists being chosen don’t really represent the core fanbase. The Super Bowl is definitely a spectacle, but the vast majority of viewers are tuning in because they’re football fans. Lately, the performers selected haven’t aligned well with that demographic.

For example, my daughters don’t care about football at all, but when halftime came around they showed up to watch the performance—and then left. ....

I'm inclined to think that the selection of the performers for the half time show is all about maximizing the revenue from advertising...it's really a completely different event while the old timers head to the kitchen

 

[Mousse]

But at this point, we have no idea as to how the selection committee arrived at their conclusions, only speculation.

I highly speculate that it's personal. The selection committee is comprised mostly of journalist. BB has long had an adversarial relationship with the media, especially when they ask stupid questions.

One that sticks out is after BB stated in a press conference, TB12 will be starter upon his return from his suspension. A reporter asked if Jimmy GQ will remain the starter if he plays well.

BB responded with "Jeezus Christ"🙄. Tag 'em and bag 'em, boys. BB just buried another reporter.

I'm 99.44% certain BB's snub was personal. I'd bet your bottom dollar on that.😉

 

[Madhatter32]

I'm 99.44% certain BB's snub was personal. I'd bet your bottom dollar on that.😉

I'm 100.00% certain it is personal among some sportswriters -- nothing to do with "Spygate" or other old candidates (nobody has ever heard about) with their final shot at eligibility. One such writer, Ron Borges, a long-time Boston area reporter, has despised Belichick since the Drew Bledsoe days. He makes no sense, has never made sense, and when pressed about it simply says he cannot come forward with additional information explaining his dislike of Belichick. We are supposed to take it on faith that Belichick is undeserving. He is the epitome of pettiness.

Fire Ron Borges, the Broadsheet Bully

Fire Ron Borges, the Broadsheet Bully By Kerry J. Byrne, publisher, ColdHardFootballFacts.com and Bruce Allen, publisher, BostonSportsMedia.com. Update: Ron Borges “Retires” From Globe They’r…

bostonsportsmedia.com

 

[pachyderm]

I'm 100.00% certain it is personal among some sportswriters -- nothing to do with "Spygate" or other old candidates (nobody has ever heard about) with their final shot at eligibility. One such writer, Ron Borges, a long-time Boston area reporter, has despised Belichick since the Drew Bledsoe days. He makes no sense, has never made sense, and when pressed about it simply says he cannot come forward with additional information explaining his dislike of Belichick. We are supposed to take it on faith that Belichick is undeserving. He is the epitome of pettiness.

Fire Ron Borges, the Broadsheet Bully

Fire Ron Borges, the Broadsheet Bully By Kerry J. Byrne, publisher, ColdHardFootballFacts.com and Bruce Allen, publisher, BostonSportsMedia.com. Update: Ron Borges “Retires” From Globe They’r…

bostonsportsmedia.com

Sounds like a real @$$

 

[AL2TEACH]

DEVO is more than just the name of a band. And Idiocracy is looking less and less like a fictional film.

Luved that flower pot wearing band lol and the meaning of the band's name was an interesting read. Generally speaking, Idiocracy is looking that way or appears so here in the U.S. lol and that's a sad lol.

Seahawks win by 10+ 😱