Job recession to have major impact on the NFL this upcoming season.

Published on May 24, 2009 by     

There is nothing more exciting than watching NFL football live as it happens in front of our eyes, the atmosphere is irreplaceable.

Just ask the fans in attendance that saw Adrian Peterson run for a record 296 yards against the Chargers or the crowd that watched Tom Brady throw his 50th TD pass breaking the all time mark previously set by Peyton Manning.

Unfortunately those and others will have to experience these great moments from their living room, with U.S  job cuts passing the one million mark for the first time since 2005.

It’s obvious that sports events might not be part of the budget anymore.  Employers have cut 5.1 million jobs since the recession began in December 2007. The 4.3 million people collecting unemployment is the most since 1974. The Labor Department said earlier this month that companies cut a net 663,000 jobs in March, sending the unemployment rate to 8.5%, it’s highest in 25 years.  How in the world can anyone afford to go to NFL football games?

The average cost of NFL Tickets has increased as much as 26.2%.  New England tops the list at $75 for an average ticket price, followed by Washington at $68, and Kansas City at $67. With Buffalo being the least expensive at $37.

Sporting events may take a back seat with the world economy going through the most severe crisis in generations.  The average cost of attending an NFL Game for a family of four is $330. That includes four average-price tickets, four small soft drinks, two small beers, four hot dogs, two game programs, parking, and gas costs.  The smart alternative for the average NFL fan would be to watch the game in the comfort of our own living room.

Season ticket sales are down drastically. For the first time since 2006 the Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are offering season tickets to the general public. Other teams have also been forced to take that approach. Most teams are experiencing a drop in season ticket sales from the previous years. It has forced teams to include incentives and bonuses to lure previous season holders to renew.  Some teams have gone as far as leaving phone messages from their players thanking them for renewing.  “Around the league, there’s no question we are feeling the effects (of the economy) like a lot of other teams” stated Joel Glazer, the son of Bucs’ owner Malcolm Glazer.

This year, you’ll find yourself settling to watch your favourite team on the couch or in a packed sports bar.

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