#TAKEASEAT: NFL Stadiums Are Turning Into Ghost Towns

The NFL needs to switch their slogan #TAKEAKNEE to #TAKEASEAT, beg their fans to forgive them for disrespecting the flag, and focus their energy on getting fans to return to games, or risk seeing their stadiums turn into ghost towns.

Over the last year, the NFL’s viewership and ratings have sunk to dismal levels, with polls showing that only 46% now view the NFL positively. Compare that to four years ago when the NFL’s approval rating stood at a comfortable 64%.

Halfway through the season, the NFL has shown no signs of improvement. Players kneeling during the National Anthem with no repercussions have taken a toll, as ticket sales and images from games demonstrate.

Here are a few shots from this weekend from games that, regardless of the appeal or lack thereof of the matchups, were far more empty than the NFL is used to seeing pre-#TAKEAKNEE:

The San Francisco 49ers — where the #TAKEAKNEE controversy originated when Colin Kaepernick declared that he was “not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color” — appears to have it the worst. No surprise though, considering the team now has a record of 0-9.