Some NFL Fans Watched Fewer Games Due to Anthem Protests, Per J.D. Power Survey

A survey conducted by J.D. Power found that NFL fans who watched fewer games last season cited players protesting during the national anthem as the No. 1 reason why.

ESPN's Darren Rovell provided data from the survey of "more than 9,200 people who attended either one football, basketball or hockey game," 12 percent of whom—which represents 1,104 people—said they watched fewer games.

"Twenty-six percent of those who watched fewer games said national anthem protests, some which were led by Colin Kaepernick, were the reason," Rovell wrote.

This means 3 percent of the 9,200 fans surveyed fall into the group of people who watched fewer games due to the protests.

The NFL's off-field image issues and on-field game delays were also cited by respondents who said they watched fewer games, but not as often as anthem protests.

Other reasons listed for fans watching fewer games included excessive commercials and advertising, election coverage from last year and getting rid of cable. 

Kaepernick's protest began during the 2016 preseason when he was a member of the San Francisco 49ers. He told NFL.com's Steve Wyche last August his decision was based on not wanting to "show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color."

Several other NFL players joined Kaepernick's protest, including Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills and Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins.