Nearly half of Americas say they are tired of seeing the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, according to a Seton Hall Sports Poll conducted this week.
46% said they were “tired” of seeing them, with only 25% finding their appearance making the game “more interesting.”
Among those who follow the NFL closely or very closely, the number rises to 62% who are tired of seeing them against only 27% who believe their appearance makes the game more interesting.
The poll received 985 adult responses across the country, using both landlines and cellphones, with a margin of error of +/- 3.2%.
Tom Brady
The numbers are not very good for New England quarterback Tom Brady either, whose favorable rating has fallen to only 29% after a high of 61% in February 2015, when the Poll first asked about him. That was before the penalty for “Deflategate” was instituted, and his favorable rating fell to 34% by that October.
Brady’s favorable rating was only 24% among women and 35% among men. While the overall rating is 29% favorable to 23% unfavorable, among those that follow the NFL closely it is even.
Bill Belichick
Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick had only a 20% favorable rating in this poll, about even with his standing in October of 2015 in the wake of “Deflategate.”
“Despite his brilliance on the field, it appears the effects of ‘Deflategate’ and the suggestion that Brady was a cheater may linger for the remainder of his career,” noted Rick Gentile, director of the poll, which is sponsored by the Sharkey Institute of the Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall. “As for ‘Patriots Fatigue’ it will be interesting to see how it effects the ratings.”
Legal Sports Betting
Meanwhile, as legalized sports betting begins a growth period on a state-by-state basis, Americans had a strong feeling that it will inevitably lead to scandal. Asked if they believe legal betting can lead to cheating or fixing of games by players, 81% said yes, and 79% said it can lead to cheating or fixing of games by referees or umpires.
What is music to a network ear however, is that 71% say they would be more likely to watch a broadcast of a game on which they bet. Even better news is by more than 5 to 1, people 18-29 are more inclined to watch a game they bet on. This is similar with Seton Hall Sports Poll’s finding when the question was first asked last fall.
WEIGHING IN ON RULE CHANGES IN WAKE OF POST-SEASON CONTROVERSIES
Replay for Pass Interference
Asked if replay review should be allowed for judgment calls like pass interference, 82% said yes, with only 10% saying no, a result consistent with those who follow the NFL closely.
Overtime Possession Rule
And on the question of each team getting at least one possession in overtime, even if the first team scores a touchdown, 58% said both teams should have the ball, with only 33% saying the rule (a touchdown on first possession ends the game), should be left alone.
This release may be found online at http://blogs.shu.edu/sportspoll/
The Official Seton Hall Sports Poll podcast discussing this topic with Seth Everett and Rick Gentile can be found at http://itunes.apple.com/mt/podcast/seton-hall-sports-poll/id1053266467.
