The NFL is still the big dog and it’s time for America to feed it again

It’s been almost seven months since the Super Bowl was played in Las Vegas, and the entire sports world has been wondering who the favorites will be in the upcoming NFL season.

Yes, America endured another televised workout, draft, and the usual boring preseason games only to hear from commissioner Roger Goodell that we are back, so come and get it.

The truth is that with more than 410 million fans tuning in to watch televised games last season and another 18.9 million attending live games, there is no doubt that the most powerful and influential sports league in the world currently prints more money than any other institution outside of the US Federal Reserve.

Add another $4 billion (yes, I said $1 billion) in merchandise sales last year, and it’s relatively clear that America is addicted to NFL football, whether it’s Sunday, Monday, or Thursday. This country’s insatiable appetite for football is growing, with no end in sight. Simply put, NFL fans are both numerous and passionate, and with the abyss that is e-gambling, an astonishing $100 billion has been wagered on games during the 2023 season, with the league itself raking in about $2.3 billion in revenue.

You don’t have to be an accountant to fully understand the math behind this incredible influx of cash, but it’s worth noting that the amounts are set to increase this holiday season.

The gaudy stream of gold that will flow into NFL coffers this season will also include television rights payments that will exceed $13 billion for the regular season and playoffs.

How can you begin to explain this phenomenon? You can’t, because there’s nothing like it on the planet. It’s a truly incomprehensible combination of wealth, power, greed, and entertainment that simply leaves fans wanting more.

It’s an incredibly well-run corporation, and right now business is going very well for the NFL and its owners.

While they will point to their philanthropic efforts, like any business monopoly, they can do even more good in their own field.

There is no such thing as a nonprofit in their world. It’s simply how they do business with their partners.

One thing is for sure, they will continue to get bigger and bigger, but that hasn’t hurt anyone who has bought a season ticket and worn their favorite player’s jersey to a lavish Taj Mahal that pretends to be a modern stadium, with thousands of the same fans who still power the NFL and keep the production of legal tender going.

Notes: The Indianapolis Colts open their regular season this Sunday when the Houston Texans come to Lucas Oil Stadium for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff. The game will be televised locally on CBS, and you can also catch the radio broadcast on 107.5 FM with commentator extraordinaire Matt Taylor talking with Rick Venturi as an analyst.

Danny Bridges, who could live the life of luxury on just one percent of NFL profits, can be reached at (317) 370-8447 or [email protected].