Kaepernick Reiterates Stance on NFL Exclusion, Prefers College Game

Colin Kaepernick has once again publicly addressed his ongoing absence from the National Football League, stating in a recent interview that he now chooses to watch college football over professional games. The former quarterback told NBC News that he believes the league is “actively blackballing me,” reinforcing his position that his exclusion from the roster is politically motivated rather than based on athletic performance.

Kaepernick, who led the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance during his playing career, has not been signed by an NFL team since he began kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice. His recent comments suggest his stance toward the league has hardened into a preference for the amateur level of the sport.

The NFL is a cornerstone property for major broadcasters, including Comcast Corporation. Through its NBCUniversal segment, Comcast holds significant media rights to broadcast NFL games, as well as high-profile college football matchups. The company’s Media division relies heavily on live sports content to drive viewership and advertising revenue. As of the latest market check, Comcast shares were trading lower, with the stock down 1.31% from the previous close.

While Kaepernick’s comments do not impact the immediate operational status of broadcast rights, they keep the spotlight on the league’s labor relations and public image. Broadcasters like Comcast must navigate the complex association between the NFL’s popularity and its ongoing social controversies.

What to watch

• Future viewership ratings for NFL broadcasts compared to college football on NBC networks.
• Any upcoming earnings calls where Comcast executives discuss NFL engagement or advertising rates.
• NFL scheduling decisions regarding Thursday Night Football or other broadcasts carried by NBCUniversal platforms.

Source: original release