Épisodes

  • The NFL's Media Empire Goes All the Way Back to 1961

    The NFL's Media Empire Goes All the Way Back to 1961
    Oct 14 2025
    From black-and-white TVs to billion-dollar streaming rights, the NFL’s rise has always been powered by the screen. In this episode, Zach breaks down how the league turned television into its greatest revenue machine — starting with the 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act that made national TV deals legal, through Monday Night Football’s prime-time revolution, Fox’s audacious 1994 coup, and today’s streaming arms race with Amazon, YouTube, and Netflix.

    You’ll learn why networks overpay for NFL exclusivity, how the current $12 billion-per-year media split works, and what the next era of rights negotiations could look like. Because from CBS in the ’60s to Amazon in the 2020s, one truth has never changed — the money always tells the story.

    Remember to check out our socials linked in the bio for X, TikTok, and Instagram. Leaving a rating and review is the most helpful and we appreciate the support!
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    9 min
  • The Dollars, Deals, and Drama Behind NFL Stadiums

    The Dollars, Deals, and Drama Behind NFL Stadiums
    Oct 9 2025
    When an NFL team unveils shiny renderings of its new billion-dollar home, the first question fans should ask is simple: who’s paying for it? In this episode, Zach Quinn digs into the business blueprint behind America’s football cathedrals — how public-private partnerships are structured, why cities agree to fund them, and what those cost splits really look like once the bonds, taxes, and naming rights come into play.

    From the Tennessee Titans’ record-setting $2.1B stadium deal in Nashville to the Commanders’ new D.C. development and the Bears’ ambitious Arlington Heights plan, we break down which projects are thriving, which ones are stalled, and why voters in places like Kansas City are starting to push back. You’ll also hear what makes success stories like SoFi and Mercedes-Benz Stadium tick — and why the “right” deal often has less to do with football and more to do with real estate, leverage, and politics.

    If you love getting behind the construction fence to see how the money really moves, follow us on X, TikTok, and Instagram (all linked in our bio) — and please drop a rating and review to help more fans discover the show. We appreciate the support!
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    13 min
  • Hidden Currency: How Compensatory Picks Shape NFL Rosters

    Hidden Currency: How Compensatory Picks Shape NFL Rosters
    Oct 7 2025
    Ever wonder how a team that loses half its free agents somehow walks into the draft with ten picks? That’s the NFL’s secret stock market at work — compensatory picks. In this week’s episode of Moneyballers, we’re breaking down one of the most misunderstood tools in roster building: what comp picks are, why the league created them, and how front offices have quietly turned them into goldmines.

    We’ll take you back to the 1990s, when the salary cap and free agency collided, and show how the Final Numerical Value formula determines which teams get rewarded for losing players. You’ll learn why the 2017 rule change that made comp picks tradable changed everything, how front offices like the Ravens and 49ers have mastered the system, and which all-time greats — like Larry Allen and Hines Ward — were once just “extra” draft selections. From formulas and loopholes to case studies and future trends, this episode reveals how the NFL’s smartest teams turn losses into leverage.

    If you geek out over salary caps and draft charts like we do, come check us out on X, TikTok, and Instagram for more deep dives like this — and don’t forget to drop a rating and review. It helps other NFL number nerds find the show!
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    12 min
  • The Bengals Did Something We've NEVER Seen Before

    The Bengals Did Something We've NEVER Seen Before
    Oct 2 2025
    The Cincinnati Bengals have approximately 1/3 of their cap tied up in 3 players. 2 of which are star wide receivers. This has NEVER been done before. Is it becasue no team has had the kind of talent Cincinnati does, or because it's just plain stupid cap management? We'll dive into historical examples, recent comparisons, and some suggestions for the Bengals to even out their team.

    We mentioned data from Spotrac and Over the Cap during this episode, so those two links are down below. If you enjoy the content, please leave us a rating or review because that really helps the show grow. We're also on X, TikTok, and Instragram, so come dive in even deeper on the crazy realities of the NFL business landscape with us!

    https://www.spotrac.com/

    https://overthecap.com/

    We appreciate you listening and the support, and we'll see you next time!
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    16 min
  • Gambling, Streaming, and International Games: Oh My!

    Gambling, Streaming, and International Games: Oh My!
    Sep 30 2025
    The NFL used to be anti-gambling. Now, they're all in on this new market for monetization. On top of that, they're thinking about expansion in a myriad of ways: streaming, international markets, and more! How do these decisions get made, and what are the intended AND unintended consequences? Neil Schwartz joins the show to walk us through it!

    Neil is the President of SBRnet, a research and data analytics company focused on the business of fandom. The company serves over 260 organizations seeking insights into sports fandom, consumer behavior, gambling trends, licensed merchandise sales, and sponsorship opportunities. He is also the founder of the annual Get in the Game Conference and hosts his own podcast, My First Job in Sports.

    SBRnet: https://sportsmarketanalytics.com/home.aspx
    Get in the Game Conference: https://getinthegameconference.net/GITG/Home.aspx
    My First Job in Sports Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-first-job-in-sports/id1582595426

    If you like the content, please consider engaging with us on X, TikTok, and Instagram, all linked in our show bio. Ratings and reviews are most helpful so we can reach more NFL nerds like you!
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    33 min
  • Who’s the Least Valuable NFL Team — And Does it Even Matter?

    Who’s the Least Valuable NFL Team — And Does it Even Matter?
    Sep 25 2025
    When you think of NFL business, it’s easy to picture the Dallas Cowboys at the top — the $10B empire that won’t stop growing. But what about the other end of the spectrum? Who’s at the bottom of the valuation rankings, and what does it really mean to be the “least valuable” team in a league where even last place is worth over $5 billion?

    In this episode, Zach Quinn digs into the numbers, the markets, and the hidden forces shaping why teams like the Bengals, Jaguars, or Bills often land near the bottom of the list. From local revenue struggles to stadium deals, market size, brand power, and media exposure, you’ll learn how valuation is about much more than wins and losses. Even when the gap between first and last is measured in billions, the differences tell a story about the future of the NFL.

    If you’re enjoying Moneyballers, come check us out on X, TikTok, and Instagram, all linked in our bio. Ratings and reviews are also the most helpful way to support the show!
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    10 min
  • Sae Tautu on Athlete Health, Injuries in the NFL, and Making Top-Notch Care Accessible

    Sae Tautu on Athlete Health, Injuries in the NFL, and Making Top-Notch Care Accessible
    Sep 23 2025
    Former BYU and New Orleans Saints Linebacker Sae Tautu joins Zach on MoneyBallers to share his journey from the gridiron to entrepreneurship. After battling injuries himself, Sae now operates Ortho Athlete, a performance and orthopedic recovery organization built to give athletes access to top-tier care, rehab, and prevention services. He also founded The Pursuit Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to closing gaps in medical access for athletes who often fall through the cracks.

    Ortho Athlete: https://ortho-athlete.com/

    The Pursuit Foundation: https://thepf.org/

    In this conversation, we dive into the business of recovery in football: how NFL teams really handle injured players, the financial realities of treatment and settlements, and why access to proper care can completely reshape an athlete’s career. Sae also talks about building community support, mentorship, and a new surgical center in the works, while offering his perspective on what future NFL labor negotiations should address around player health.

    Whether you’re an NFL fan, a young athlete chasing a scholarship, or someone curious about the business side of sports medicine, this episode gives you a candid look at where athlete care is headed — and how Ortho Athlete and The Pursuit Foundation are changing the game. Remember to check us out on X, TikTok, and Instagram! And ratings and reviews are the most helpful for us to reach more fans. Lots of special guests are coming up, so stay tuned!
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    25 min
  • The NFL Practice Squad: How Players Get Paid, Elevated, and Limited

    The NFL Practice Squad: How Players Get Paid, Elevated, and Limited
    Sep 18 2025
    The NFL’s practice squads might not get Sunday night highlights, but they’re the backbone of every roster. From undrafted rookies grinding for a shot to seasoned vets keeping their careers alive, practice squads are where opportunity meets survival. This episode of Moneyballers pulls back the curtain on how these squads work, who qualifies, and why they’ve quietly become one of the league’s most important tools for building depth.

    We dive into the financials: how much practice squad players actually make, the differences between rookies and veterans, how game-day elevations boost their paychecks, and why teams treat these rosters like living insurance policies. Along the way, we highlight how the league’s most overlooked players help shape playoff runs, protect superstars, and sometimes rise from anonymity to steal the spotlight on Sundays.

    If you’re into the hidden economics of football, this one’s for you. Check us out on X, TikTok, and Instagram for more behind-the-scenes breakdowns, and don’t forget to leave a rating and review—it helps us grow the show and keep bringing you the money side of the NFL.
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    10 min