The NFL is sitting at the top of the US Sports market. Drawing billions in revenue, the league outpaces almost every other US sports league in revenue generated. In fact, the Dallas Cowboys are by far the most valuable sports team, at a valuation of a whopping $9 billion. Safe to say, the league is making leaps and bounds in financial success. However, there seems to be trouble brewing for the sport, with many spotting a disastrous problem just on the horizon.
In a comprehensive deep-dive into the finances of the league, analyst Joe Pompliano painted a grim picture of the decline in popularity of the sport. While the financial future of the league looks bright, there is one aspect that might hurt the sport in the long run: youth participation.
According to data from the National Federation of State High School Association’s High School Athletics Participation Survey, youth enrollment in football has been waning since the 2010s. The most recent survey report from the NFHS, reveals that the 2021-22 school year marked the first instance since the beginning of the century where participation in 11-player high school football in America fell below a million players. The reported figure of 976,886 participants reflects a 12.2% decline from the peak observed in 2008-09. Participation in tackle football for children 6 to 12 has also dropped 30% since 2016.
Meanwhile, the NFL is witnessing unprecedented financial growth, generating nearly $12 billion in revenue in 2022. The $12 billion in national revenue, shared by all 32 franchises, reflects a growth rate of 7.8 percent. The league is also spreading its tentacles to an international audience, with games being played in London, Spain, and Germany. The audience for the game is not a problem, but if there is no one willing to play, what will audiences watch? The decline in youth participation points to the music that the league has long been unwilling to face.
