Locked Out of the End Zone: How the NFL’s Greed Hurts Its Most Loyal Fans

I love the NFL. I love Netflix. I love Amazon. But, folks, this whole “subscribe to Amazon Prime or Netflix to watch NFL games” thing? It’s totally un-American, and, honestly, it’s a disgrace.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying the NFL is bad—I mean, who doesn’t enjoy a good Hail Mary on a Sunday afternoon or a last-second field goal that keeps you on the edge of your seat?

But when you make something as deeply woven into American culture as the NFL paywalled behind a subscription, you’re sending the wrong message to the very people who made this country great: the working class.

Let me break this down for you: In 2023, the NFL generated $20.2 billion in revenue. Yes, billion with a B. This was the highest-grossing year in the NFL’s history. So don’t try to tell me the NFL needs to go full subscription-based to “recover lost revenue.” It’s not about saving the league—it’s about greed, pure and simple.

And guess what? There’s early data suggesting this could be a terrible move. A 2018 report by Earnin found that when Netflix raised its prices, it hit low-income earners the hardest, deterring them from paying for subscriptions. While Amazon offers discounts for eligible low-income households through programs like EBT, SNAP, and Medicaid (kudos to them for that), let’s not kid ourselves—no American should have to choose between food on the table or watching an NFL game. Nor should anyone be forced to rely on federal assistance just to watch a football game that, at its core, should be accessible to all. This is the NFL we’re talking about, not a pay-per-view concert by Beyoncé.

Let’s dig a little deeper, shall we?

The reality is, seven of the ten poorest states in America—states like Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and West Virginia—don’t have an NFL team. That’s right. They’re not just missing out on games in their own stadiums; they’re missing out entirely. For people in those states, their only chance to watch NFL games is through their television—and now, that access is slipping further away.

Here’s the kicker: all of these states have large, hard-working, blue-collar populations. Many of them are “red states,” yes—but that doesn’t change the fact that they’re made up of hardworking Americans who don’t need to be priced out of something as fundamental as a Sunday football game. By moving games behind a paywall, the NFL is inadvertently—though I’d argue, not without a dose of corporate callousness—marginalizing a huge portion of the population. It’s a form of classism, and I don’t care if that term sounds harsh. The truth hurts.

The working class already has enough on its plate: inflation is through the roof, gas prices fluctuate like a roller coaster, and now even the price of cars is sky-high. The last thing these folks need is to be priced out of watching a football game on a Sunday. They work hard all week, grind away to make ends meet, and when they finally sit down with a cold beer to unwind, they shouldn’t have to think twice about whether they can afford to stream the game.

So, here’s my plea to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league’s high-and-mighty brass: Think about the people who helped make this league what it is today. Think about the folks who have worn your team’s jersey with pride, who’ve lived and died by every pass, every touchdown, and every Super Bowl win. Think about the people who can’t just pull out their credit cards and sign up for yet another subscription service. They deserve to see the game they love—just as much as any millionaire team owner or Silicon Valley investor.

I’m not asking for a free-for-all. I’m not saying all NFL games should be free. I get it; the NFL’s a business, and I respect that. But can we get some common sense here? Key national games—Sunday nights, Monday nights, Thursday nights, and the holiday games—should be available to everyone, no strings attached. It’s only fair. After all, the NFL is more than just a sport. It’s a part of the American fabric. It’s as American as apple pie, the Fourth of July, and overpriced stadium nachos. No American—regardless of race, age, income, or zip code—should be denied the simple pleasure of watching a game that is part of our shared cultural identity.

The NFL can do better by America. You want to know how? It’s easy: make the marquee games accessible to everyone. Don’t make us pay for the privilege of being part of the NFL family.

The working class has given this country its blood, sweat, and tears. It’s about time the NFL gave them something in return—a game they can actually watch without having to sacrifice their weekly groceries or rent payment.

Because if we can’t share America’s greatest pastime with everyone, well, then what are we really doing here?