Patriots Huge Cash Cow for Networks

[70Chip]

If you happen to see some odd officiating in the playoffs this year, this may help to connect the dots for you:

From PFT:

The epic run of the New England Patriots has made for compelling television. And people are watching because of it.
They're also buying stuff.
Per Bloomberg.com, the Patriots' games have contributed to record cable ratings, record Sunday night ratings, and the biggest Sunday afternoon ratings in two decades.
"They are just a steam engine going down the tracks,'' CBS Sports President Sean McManus told Bloomberg.com. "The Patriots have been a great story for us. They're the driving force behind our ratings."
For the regular-season finale on NFL Network, ads are going for $200,000. The standard rate on the league-owned network for regular-season games is $85,000.

That phenomenon will continue as long as the Patriots are alive in the postseason. If the Pats pair up with a team like the Cowboys in the Super Bowl, the end result could be the highest-rated television program in the history of the medium.

And that will mean a huge financial bonanza for the league.
If anything, the cheating scandal that unfolded in September has increased interest in the team's exploits. The 2007 Pats have polarized NFL fans, with the number of folks who have no strong opinion about the franchise shrinking every day.

[jgalecpa]

Originally Posted by 70Chip

If you happen to see some odd officiating in the playoffs this year, this may help to connect the dots for you.

Zoot Allours! You aren't suggesting the officials would be anything but honest, eh? LOL

J-Dawg

PS Kim Novak had an AWESOME rack.

[firstdown]

Ok, first it was the hate the Pats and the rest of the team.
Now, people are all ready trying to discredit them in the playoffs.

[70Chip]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Ok, first it was the hate the Pats and the rest of the team.
Now, people are all ready trying to discredit them in the playoffs.

And the Cowboys, too.

[firstdown]

Ok, and the Cowboys Too.

[That Guy]

any time a team can destroy the rest of a league interest and rating (and money) spike. the cosmos did the same thing a million (30+) years ago in DC. It's great for the league.

[HOGTIMUS PRIME]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Ok, first it was the hate the Pats and the rest of the team.
Now, people are all ready trying to discredit them in the playoffs.

NFL is just protecting their cash cow, to bad the Pat's don't need their help.

We enjoy the sport for what it is competition, but don't under estimate the greed for money for the business that is the NFL. The only competition they care about is sponsors fighting for air time.

[Defensewins]

LOL
this thread cracks me up.
If it were the Redskins instead of the Patriots dominating the league there would no cries of how bad it is for the league. Instead itt would be reverse paranoia of how the rest of the league, press and refs are out to topple the skins.