Oakland Raiders Post Lowest TV Ratings in NFL
By Chase Ruttig
2014 had exciting moments for the Oakland Raiders, who treated fans to three big home wins to close the season, but still a 3-13 record won’t be remembered 25 years from now as the team was the first franchise eliminated from the postseason this season. That may have tied into a lack of interest over the course of the 16 game schedule for Raiders fans and those around the league as the Raiders television/radio ratings were the worst in the league.
According to Nielsen, under 30% of fans watched/listened/attended a Raiders game during the 2014 season, lowest of any market in the league and something that doesn’t help a team that already posts low attendance totals yearly with a tarped off upper bowl. In fact, nearly twice the amount of people watched a Chargers game than a Raiders game this season to give a comparison of the difference in interest in the two California AFC West franchises.
According to Nielsen, just 29% of adults in market watched/attended/listened to a #Raiders game in the last 12 months. Worst in league.
— Christopher Hansen (@ChrisHansenNFL) December 31, 2014
Broncos were 4th again at 73%. Chiefs 7th at 71% (basically tied for 5th...same as last year). Chargers 20th at 55%...down 7 spots.
— Christopher Hansen (@ChrisHansenNFL) December 31, 2014
There is no denying that the Raiders still have hardcore, diehard fans that make the team iconic, but the numbers don’t lie when it comes to defining Oakland as a small market for struggling teams. The Golden State Warriors, Oakland A’s and even the San Jose Sharks just outside of Oakland get strong fan support when they are winning and providing excitement. Until that happens the Raiders local fanbase may never grow past the passionate group of fans who live and die with the team, not that there is anything wrong with that as Raider Nation is passionate enough without Nielsen ratings to define the size of the fanbase.