WSJ: Does NFL have to grow revenue (must read)

Tip to Dave, this is the question that must be answered

Today, ticket revenues have been essentially flat for the past three seasons and given the economy, owners sense they’ve hit a ceiling (the average ticket costs about $76). With governments at every level facing deficits, the subsidy well is all but dry. (Just one project, Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium renovation, has received taxpayer support since 2006).

Another season of record NFL ratings should boost revenues from the broadcast networks and satellite provider DirecTV, but not as dramatically. Revenues from media rights increased to $3.8 billion for 2010 from $2.6 billion in 2005—a 46% increase. But between now and 2013, the final year of the new broadcast contracts, fees will only increase $350 million, or about 9%.

Ticket revenues are flat because most every team sells out every game.

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