Boston ranked eighth in Super Bowl LI ratings

An entire region is no doubt rejoicing over the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl LI victory. Still, it would appear as though some in Boston, by far New England’s biggest city, completely missed the game.

Despite the Patriots being in (and winning) the Super Bowl, Boston didn’t even draw a top-five rating.

In fact, according to Matt Warren of SB Nation, Boston was eighth.

Obviously, Atlanta makes sense. Norfolk and Richmond are both southern cities, so there’s certainly a high concentration of Atlanta Falcons fans in those places, as well. Additionally, as Warren pointed out, Pittsburgh and Buffalo are both home to rival teams of the Patriots. So, fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills were likely enjoying much of what transpired for three-and-a-half quarters. Of course, they were also greatly dismayed by the finish.

But what accounts for Boston’s low number?

We can only speculate, but there are a few guesses.

One, it’s certainly possible that fans in one of the more liberal cities in the country are turned off by the perceived support of Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady for President Donald Trump. That may not account for a big swing of the needle, but it’s notable.

Two, fans in the Boston area could have been getting together for viewing parties as a way to celebrate the team’s fifth Super Bowl title. While that’s prevalent around the United States, it’s possible this could have been more widespread in Boston itself.

Three, the Super Bowl is kind of old hat for the Patriots. Since January of 1986, New England has played in nine Super Bowls. Since February of 2002, it’s played in seven. The true fans will always watch but for casual fans, the Super Bowl may not have the same appeal in Boston as it once did.

These are just three things to consider to account for why the hometown of the winning team drew such a modest number for a Super Bowl.