In this story from USA Today, 19 percent of voters in a poll conducted by Adweek and Harris Poll say they will not return to the NFL if the lockout causes the cancellation of either the season or games in September.
↵Although the NFL has devised a "cushion" in their schedule to make missed games up and still conclude the season on time, the poll of 2.124 adults is not to be sneezed at -- even though, of course, if/when the product is there on the tube, that 19% number would no doubt diminish some.
↵The analyst team from Harris did have this to say about the consequences of an ongoing lockout:
↵↵↵"Although professional football has reigned as America's favorite sport for many years, between the current labor lockout and increased understanding of the damaging effects of head injuries, the sport may have a rough road ahead. Professional football is a business, as the fierce labor lockout makes abundantly clear, yet if these financial discussions turn off the fans, NFL executives may need to reevaluate their priorities."
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Of course the simple solution would be to resolve this morass and get on with it. But simple does not seem to be the way of things sometimes.