Heisman presentation scores highest ratings in 13 years

Field Level Media|published: Thu 18th December, 14:37 2025

Dec 13, 2025; New York, NY, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza poses for photos with the Heisman trophy during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis after winning the award. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Saturday night's Heisman Trophy presentation to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza drew the largest television audience for the event since 2012.

The show averaged 4.3 million viewers on ABC, the highest number since 2012 when 4.9 million watched Texas A&M signal-caller Johnny Manziel become the first freshman to win the prestigious award.

It was the first time the audience topped 4 million since 2013 (4.18 million) and the first to even exceed 3 million since 2015 (3.06 million), according to Nielsen.

Saturday's audience peaked at 5.8 million, a 69% increase from the previous year on ESPN (2.52 million).

ESPN aired the Heisman Trophy presentation from 1994-2024. The last time it was presented on broadcast TV before Saturday was in 1993 on NBC.

Mendoza has guided the unbeaten Hoosiers (13-0) to the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. He has passed for 2,980 yards with an NCAA-best 33 touchdowns and six interceptions.

--Field Level Media

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