College football a huge TV hit once again
Here's why the NFL is in Brazil. Kudos to the Rays and Giants
Good morning, all. I hope your weekend is off to a terrific start!
How big is college football in the good ol’ USA. It’s UGE! The numbers are in for the first, full week of the college game on TV and as usual, they are off the charts.
Remember last week, when I speculated what the Texas-Ohio St. game would have garnered in the ratings, if it was placed in primetime? Well, because Texas did not want the game moved to Sunday night, the game was played at its original noontime start on the Saturday before Labor Day. The numbers rivaled most World Series games.
The game set a week one record, as 16.62 million viewers tuned in. The previous high was 12.34M in 2017 for Alabama-Florida St. on ABC. The viewership for the Ohio St. win actually peaked at 3:15 p.m., when 18.6M were watching the game. Other games were also strong in the ratings. Sunday night’s Notre Dame-Miami game averaged 10.8M. Saturday afternoon’s Alabama-Florida St. game, won by the Seminoles, drew 10.7M viewers and the LSU-Clemson game garnered 10.4M.
And Bill Belichick’s collegiate coaching debut, you ask? Well, NC-TCU had strong numbers for ESPN with 6.1M viewers. This is why TV networks are willing to pay big time for the rights to college football and why the push will continue to create a super conference. Bet on it!
Here are some other thoughts as I ponder when that super conference will be formed:
Why did the NFL play Friday night’s Chiefs-Chargers game in Brazil? Money, that’s why. The betting market is expected to have a field day in that country, now that betting is legalized. No, the NFL does not get a cut of the wagering action, but it gets to advertise on those gambling sites, reaping the benefits of its brand with a huge ROI. And in the event you are wondering, after Mexico, Brazil has the largest NFL fanbase outside of the USA.
I did not watch the game, as I was broadcasting Yard Goats baseball Thursday night, but from what I have read and heard, new Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer is getting rave reviews for how he coached his first game. Yes, weather may have played a part, but the Cowboys did cover, losing by four. They were getting 8.5 points.
Jalen Carter getting criticized everywhere - as well he should - for the spit felt ‘round the world.
Steelers DT Cam Heyward is threatening to sit out Sunday’s opener against the Jets, if he does not get a contract extension. Whoa! You are under contract, you play. NFL needs to step in, if he pulls such a stunt.
I’m guessing the Yankees and Aaron Boone are not going to be too happy if Brian Walsh umpires another one of their games this year. But here’s the thing. Umpires get evaluated too. It’s just that MLB does not do so in public.
The Tampa Bay Rays could have mailed it in with their stadium issues this season. That is not their way. Entering Friday night, the Rays were on a season-high, seven-game win streak and are back in the playoff conversation. For that matter, so are the San Francisco Giants. Riding the red-hot bat of Rafael Devers, the Giants are winning games and making their own playoff push. Final weeks of the MLB season could be fun.
Tough break for Caitlin Clark not returning for the rest of the season. It will be interesting to see how the WNBA playoff ratings fair without their headline player.
That is going to do it for today’s newsletter. As always, thank you for subscribing and have a terrific Saturday!
DAN