For all the complaints about the competitiveness and entertainment value of the Pro Bowl, a whole lot of people still watch it.
According to SI’s Richard Deitsch, the ratings for this year’s Pro Bowl saw a 28 percent spike from 2017, reversing a downward trend that had been ongoing in previous years.
ESPN says that the Pro Bowl drew a 5.9 overnight rating on ABC, up 28 percent from last year's 4.6 on ESPN. The viewership number when it comes out is going to be significantly up from last year's 7.4M. Millions of people watch this game, which is why it isn't going anywhere. https://t.co/HjQnNJ8oQD
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) January 29, 2018
The Pro Bowl has been criticized frequently down the years for its lack of competitiveness and brand of watered-down football. For all that criticism, it still beats many major non-NFL sporting events in the ratings. People may complain about it, but enough still watch for the NFL to justify its continued existence.
