 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Brett Favre returns to give 'SNF' a TD |
|
« Back |
by Bill Cromwell
Aug. 24, 2010
f it were up to the networks, Brett Favre would probably never retire, though he'd threaten to do so every year.
For the third time, Favre teased retirement only to return, and that gave NBC very strong ratings for its preseason "Sunday Night Football" game featuring Favre's team.
The matchup between Favre's Minnesota Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers averaged a 7.2 overnight rating and a 12 share from 8:15 to 11 p.m., according to Nielsen, tying a 2005 game between the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks for the highest-rated week two preseason contest since 2003.
You could argue that NBC was fortunate to have the Vikings on the schedule the same week that Favre came back to the team, though you could also argue that Favre, who previously retired from the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets, planned it that way. He seems to enjoy the media attention.
At halftime of the game, play-by-play man Al Michaels interviewed Favre about his decision. Favre revealed that Minnesota coach Brad Childress had sent a trio of players to Mississippi to convince the QB to return, and it apparently worked.
Favre, whose first grandchild was born recently, decided to return for a 20th season despite missing some of the preseason training camp.
That can only mean good things for the networks that broadcast Favre's games. The QB is a huge ratings draw, and the Vikings' run deep into the playoffs last year helped lift ratings year-to-year.
It was already looking like another year for football even before Favre decided to return again. The season's first "SNF" game drew the best rating for any preseason game in more than a decade |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
