The NFL and women

If you had told me a month ago the NFL would be in deep trouble due to domestic violence charges to players, I would have probably laughed.  The 20 billion a year juggernaut seemed immune to bad publicity.  Although over 50 players had been arrested during Roger Goodell's tenure as commissioner, the fallout has been minimal.  Then came the video of Ray Rice punching out his fiancé.  The power of that visual has destroyed the "business as usual" mentality the league has operated under.  Now a steady parade of new victims are stepping forward and the damage is considerable.  Yes, the diehard fans will watch their teams come Sunday, but advertisers are skittish.  If the big money beer and car companies begin pulling their ads, the poop will begin hitting the proverbial whirling blades.  The league is starting to lose its tenuous hold on the female population.  There are many ladies who while they don't like football, tolerate their men's infatuation during the fall.  When they start to voice strenuous misgivings about a sport which advocates violence during games and has begun to spill over into private lives, their men may have to take notice.  Perhaps they will watch their home team and skip other games.  Maybe some men will decide to support women and give up the Sunday ritual.  Even this speculation will damage the NFL brand.  That coupled with the recent concussion scandals may not bring football down, but it will certainly make many fans think twice about supporting it.