Commish: 'Difficult times' good for NFL

[truebluefan]

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says the recession has helped build TV audiences for NFL games.

Speaking on CBS' "60 Minutes," to be aired Sunday, Goodell says the nearly 60 million people tuning in to watch last Sunday's conference championships show that.

"People want to feel part of a group, feel like they're connected, and right now during these difficult times, they can turn on free television and watch the greatest entertainment that's out there," Goodell says. "They can forget their worries for just a few hours."

Goodell also expresses his concern about getting fans to come to the stadium rather than watching at home.

"Our biggest challenge going forward is how do we get people to come to our stadiums because the experience is so great at home," he says. "When you turn on (a football game), you want to see a full stadium."

Read more: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/751021...odell-says

[Joe Robinson]

I think an excellent way to get fans into the stadium would be to drop the ticket prices. I'm all for the NFL wanting to make money; but in most cities it is definitely starting to get ridiculous.

[FavreDollarFootlong]

I agree with ticket prices but don't the teams set those prices with input from the league? I live in Tampa and think it is absurd that the prices are so high to watch a loser. And especially with the Bucs trying to get back into the picture but they black out every game it makes it even tougher.

I just want to watch a damn game on Sunday instead of repeats of some bullshit because the game is blacked out. I hope the NFL gets sued for blacking out games. The stadium is paid by taxes so they should have no say in blacking out a game.

[kcareconnections]

I can see that when times are tough, that people might be even more likely to watch NFL football games. It gives people a good escape so to speak for a few hours each week. I too, think that people would be more likely to attend games at the stadium if some of the ticket prices were more affordable.

[Joe Robinson]

I think the league does have a say in ticket prices; but the owners are also definitely given leeway when it comes to the topic as well. It's not like the NFL is hurting for money and the TV contracts are only getting bigger. Throw the fans a bone lol.