Poll shows NFL may be losing fans

NEW YORK, May 11 (UPI) -- Nearly a fifth of Americans say they are less likely to watch professional football this year as a lockout threatens the NFL season.

In a Harris Interactive poll released Wednesday, 67 percent of fans say they are as likely as ever to watch the new season if a contract is reached between owners and players, but 19 percent say they are less likely or much less likely to do so.

Only 4 percent are more likely to be tuning in, with 10 percent unsure.

The poll also finds disaffection rises from 12 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds to 25 percent of fans 55 years and older.

Men are a bit more likely than women to shun football when it returns, by 22 percent to 16 percent.

The Adweek/Harris Poll survey of 2,124 U.S. adults was taken online April 25-27. Harris says it does not give margin-of-error figures.