With the NFL facing cratering TV ratings, it is also important to note that fans are staying away from the stadiums, too.
Fans have remarked on the sparse crowds at several games since last Thursday night.
For instance, Levis Stadium in San Francisco did not appear to have many fans in the seats.
As a few others have noted. Sparse & or late arriving crowd at Levi’s Stadium this afternoon for C.J. Beathard vs. Drew Stanton pic.twitter.com/EPae66cPqz
— John Dickinson (@JDJohnDickinson) November 5, 2017
Another Twitter user claimed that two thirds of the seats were empty this weekend.
Caption: "My estimate – 2/3 empty at kickoff. #49ers" #NFL #AZvsSF (https://t.co/m1YUXbJYHv) pic.twitter.com/KRP2DJ7jf9
— Empty Seats Galore (@EmptySeatsPics) November 5, 2017
Others were just as shocked at how empty the stadium was.
Levi's! #NFL #AZvsSF RT @joshweinfuss: Opening kickoff here in Santa Clara. Where is everyone? pic.twitter.com/RwI1kQfTR4
— Empty Seats Galore (@EmptySeatsPics) November 5, 2017
The Giants game did not seem to fare any better.
Caption: "Half empty @MLStadium for the @Giants game. As a lifelong season ticket holder, what an embarrassment." (https://t.co/PZe4id7q93) pic.twitter.com/MgoMu020hf
— Empty Seats Galore (@EmptySeatsPics) November 5, 2017
My man @AndyMills_NJ with the scene from the sideline. #Giants pic.twitter.com/Jql5nhpmYy
— James Kratch (@JamesKratch) November 5, 2017
Those look like empty seats. They are actually the smart people in disguise.. pic.twitter.com/KIjktaJNSW
— Michael Shea (@cirrusdriver) November 5, 2017
#NFL #LARvsNYG (2/X) RT @thesniffpatrol: Giants fans fed up with the weather and the team @[me] pic.twitter.com/qjfKB3MFQP
— Empty Seats Galore (@EmptySeatsPics) November 5, 2017
Four more months 'til spring training #Giants #NFL #LARvsNYG (https://t.co/W7heOa1fEv + https://t.co/r9W5Die2rb) pic.twitter.com/KVdJqjPGvn
— Empty Seats Galore (@EmptySeatsPics) November 5, 2017
Jaguars fans also stayed home from EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida.
#NFL #CINvsJAX #shotwithapotato RT @JScottRadio: @[me] well into the 1st quarter in Jacksonville. pic.twitter.com/KwjxV7BDqH
— Empty Seats Galore (@EmptySeatsPics) November 5, 2017
The Houston Texans also saw sparse attendance as they took on the Indianapolis Colts, according to fans on Twitter.
Another early shot from Houston #NFL RT @StrosBros1: @[me] pic.twitter.com/Hptv1HKts5
— Empty Seats Galore (@EmptySeatsPics) November 5, 2017
Early minutes of #INDvsHOU #NFL RT @s_kilgore: @[me] no comment needed… pic.twitter.com/cqEGXZ2hzV
— Empty Seats Galore (@EmptySeatsPics) November 5, 2017
Finally, Thursday’s Jets game at Metlife Stadium didn’t draw many fans.
Early moments of #TNF at Metlife Stadium. #NFL #BUFvsNYJ (https://t.co/Q7LP6Mpocd + https://t.co/ZZJo071j6s + https://t.co/QhRewS1VaO) pic.twitter.com/ls7YSSzMlg
— Empty Seats Galore (@EmptySeatsPics) November 3, 2017
On the other hand, Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, was filled to the brim as 95,551 fans turned out to see the Volunteers meet Southern Mississippi on Saturday. Neyland has a capacity of just over 105,000 seats, so that turnout was quite a feat.
Crowd at kickoff here at Neyland pic.twitter.com/Yl4brhzTfX
— Mike Wilson (@ByMikeWilson) November 4, 2017
On a side note, as the NFL’s ratings and attendance continue to fall, some advertisers are telling the broadcast networks that if they continue to show the playing of the national anthem during NFL games they will be losing advertisers.
It appears that at least some advertisers feel that if the networks just stop showing the protests, fans will forget they are still going on.
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston.
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