NFL fans could not care less about the Pro Bowl.
Its latest edition attracted its lowest viewership in 16 years at 6.69 million viewers across ESPN, ABC, and Disney XD.
The audience share also declined 17 percent from the last Pro Bowl that featured an actual game (8.05 million).
Those alarming numbers highlight the grim reality that the league must come up with fresh ideas to make the game relevant.
Sadly, it does not compare to All-Star extravaganzas in other major American sporting leagues.
The NBA All-Star Weekend is always a top draw during their season while the MLB All-Star Game is a celebration of the league’s best.
But perhaps the Pro Bowl will attract a bigger audience if it meant something beyond the game.
A New Plan For The Pro Bowl
That said, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett made some suggestions in improving the Pro Bowl’s relevance.
I think it’d be dope if the NFL pro bowl implemented the same thing as NBA all star game! 2 charities will be awarded 100k each quarter based off who wins the quarter
— Tyler Lockett (@TDLockett12) February 21, 2022
Lockett said, “I think it’d be dope if the NFL pro bowl implemented the same thing as NBA all star game! 2 charities will be awarded 100k each quarter based off who wins the quarter.”
Having a charity in place would motivate the Pro Bowlers to play with effort because they’re playing beyond themselves.
Unfortunately, the lack of effort was evident among several players during the last Pro Bowl.
Therefore, Lockett is on track with this suggestion.
However, another obstacle the Pro Bowl must hurdle is having the original selectees play the game.
Even with the charities to play for, the Pro Bowl will create a small ripple if the top players keep on skipping the event.
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