2011 NFL Lockout: The Sole Reason Why Pro Football Doesn't Miss Any Games, Money

If there's anything that NFL owners care about, it's money.

The only team really exempt from this equation are the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers because they are the only team owned by the city in which they are located.

And although NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell took a pay-cut and reduced his salary, you know he wants a season otherwise he won't get paid.

Then there's the players.

The endorsements won't last forever, and since most burn a whole in their pocket, a season without pay will be extremely costly.

Now think about the television network deals, merchandise sales, TV ratings, NFL.com traffic and even the recent draft.

In an article by Michael Hiestand of the USA Today, Hiestand reports:

"

"ESPN's average audience for Thursday's prime-time first round — 4.4 million households — was down 17% from last year while ESPN/ESPN2's Friday night coverage was off 29% and down 11% Saturday."

"

Add in the corporate sponsorships from all the companies that advertise around the stadiums, and this season will take one significant hit.

All in all we could be talking TENS OF TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

(Side Note: This sounds eerily similar to our national debt.)

Football fans know that high school is for Friday night, college football is all day Saturday and pro football is all day Sunday. Now, even if college gets moved to Sundays in the event of a lockout, the TV ratings still won't reach typical NFL ratings.

However, that may be the best solution.

Put yourself in the shoes of a TV network executive, or a corporate sponsor of an NFL team.

If you're an exec, how much money will your network lose in sponsorships and advertising?

More than you can imagine.

If you're a corporate sponsor, there's no way you're putting up any cash until the lockout is lifted, and you still may lose business since advertising won't be at the stadium.

In the end, let's hope for all parties involved (owners, players, fans, TV networks, sponsors, etc...) that there is a season, because it's hard to imagine The Autumn Wind without.