The NFL's TV ratings are down around 11 percent through September. TV executives are rattled because they face so-called "make-goods" with advertisers. When advertisers buy time on pro football games, they are promised certain numbers in ratings and audiences. If there is a shortfall, the networks have to provide the equivalent of free commercial time.

Fox, CBS, NBC, and ESPN pay a combined $5 billion a year to put on NFL games through 2021. Executives are rushing to say this year's stumble is a combination of little things that won't last. Getting the blame are the Clinton-Trump debates, certain players' not standing for the pre-game flag salute, dull games, injured players, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and other possible factors.

NFL executives and players have plenty of time to see if this year's bad start portends a trend building. In a sense, San Diego voters have only a month to ponder the reason for the slide. In November, citizens vote on whether to raise hotel taxes more than 50 percent (10.5 percent to 16.5 percent) to build a football stadium for a poorly managed and poorly performing team owned by a family of Stockton billionaires.

If pro football loses some popularity over 30 years, San Diego will have foolishly raised taxes to subsidize a sport in a bit of a down-spiral. Thus far this year, the Chargers have reportedly filled less than 80 percent of their seats at home games — the worst performance in the league.