“The NFL Absolutely Kills It” – UFC CEO Dana White Concedes Defeat to Football Just Weeks Before Super Bowl

“It’s really ruined how fans are made…I think the increase of gambling and too much focus on money has ruined sports as a whole,” said sophomore Abel Stephen last year. His statement highlights the evolving nature of American sports, particularly the “big four” – baseball, football, basketball, and hockey. But has the popularity and viewership of these sports drastically declined over the years, sparking growing concerns about the sharp change since the 1990s?

According to a report by North Star News from February 2024, titled, “This Super Bowl, why are American sports dying?” the decline has accelerated over the past decade. With a steady drop in ratings, solutions remain elusive. As landscape of American sports continues to evolve, UFC President Dana White doesn’t share the same concerns when it comes to American football, specifically the NFL. White recently appeared on Tucker Carlson’s YouTube podcast, where Carlson asked, “What about the other professional sports leagues like the NFL and NBA? Do they swing back into the center of America, or do they continue on this self-destructive path?”

Dana White hesitated before responding but acknowledged the question with a “good one,” then went on to say, “I can’t answer. I… what I do is I run mine the way I think it should, and again, I run it with what I call common sense.” Carlson pressed for a more definitive answer, and White replied,” it’s hard to say that the NFL is screwing up. I mean, the NFL is as powerful as powerful could be. The NBA ratings are dropping; you know, they’re having their issues. Um, but, uh, yeah, it’s hard to mess with the NFL. The NFL – you can not like the new kickoff thing, you can like some things they don’t do, but the NFL absolutely kills it. It’s the most powerful sport.”

Dana White’s perspective holds weight. While American sports face challenges, American football continues to dominate, leaving the NBA in its wake. According to Statista’s September 2024 report, football still commands 41% of the viewership, a statistic further supported by Gallup’s February 2024 data. In contrast, baseball and other sports trail with viewership well below 10%. Reports from reputable sources like Bloomberg, which in 2023 noted a shift away from traditional TV, driven by the rise of social media and digital platforms, reinforce this trend.

Yet, the American love for football remains steadfast. The NFL’s viewership surged by 20% in 2023-2024 compared to 2013, partly due to high-profile collaborations between celebrities like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, as well as Dana White‘s involvement with the NFL’s rising young stars, which also played a role in the story.

What’s Dana White’s relationship with Puka Nacua?

Many fans often misunderstand the relationship between rising Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua and UFC president Dana White. Nacua, who affectionately refers to the UFC CEO as ‘Uncle Dana,’ shares a close bond with the UFC boss. Their connection dates back to Nacua’s childhood, before his move to Utah, when he spent time in Las Vegas—the base of Dana White’s promotion. Nacua played in the local Pop Warner football league alongside White’s son, Dana White III, making him almost like family.

During a candid conversation on Games with Names with Julian Edelman, Dana White reflected on his relationship with the young football star, expressing pride in Nacua’s achievements. “My kids grew up with Puka. He grew up in our house,” UFC CEO shared. “Lorenzo and I used to fund a team called the ‘Little Cowboys,’ and Puka was on that team with my kids and other players who are now in the NFL and top colleges. To see Puka doing what he’s doing now, it could not happen to a better person. When you meet him, you’ll love him. He’s such a good kid.”

What’s your opinion on the current state of sports viewership, particularly the NFL? Do you think NFL ratings are declining? Do you still watch sports on television? Feel free to share your thoughts!”