Episodes

  • The NFL and It's Marketing Machine (And how the Dallas Cowboys Set the Pace)

    The NFL and It's Marketing Machine (And how the Dallas Cowboys Set the Pace)
    Oct 23 2025
    We have a very special guest on the show today - Kyle Shurtz of Avalaunch Media! Kyle takes on the NFL money machine from a marketing perspective and has tons of interesting tidbits to share.

    Kyle and Zach talk about the Dallas Cowboys and how Jerry Jones continues to win without the team needing to win themselves, how he would turn other franchises into media empires, and if Roger Goodell could apply the same strategy to the league as a whole.

    Explore Avalaunch Media: https://avalaunchmedia.com/

    Check out Kyle's LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-shurtz-wild-bet-king/

    If you like the content, please consider engaging with us on socials (X, TikTok, Instagram), all linked in our bio. Ratings and reviews are the best way to help the show grow, and we truly appreciate all the support!
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    23 mins
  • The NFL Sells Every Square Inch

    The NFL Sells Every Square Inch
    Oct 16 2025
    Logos. Everywhere you look — on the field, in the stands, even in the Gatorade you drink. But behind every logo is a check, and behind every check is a billion-dollar business model. In this episode, Zach breaks down how sponsorships quietly bankroll the NFL — from naming rights that fetch $20 million a year to exclusive “official partner” deals that lock entire industries out of the game.

    You’ll learn how the hierarchy of sponsorship works — league-wide versus team-level — and why “official” categories like apparel, betting, and streaming cost a fortune. We’ll talk about the brands reshaping modern football (Nike, FanDuel, Amazon), the science behind stadium naming rights, and how emerging tech and data deals are creating the next frontier of NFL monetization.

    Because whether it’s the logo on a jersey, a stadium name, or the Gatorade cooler on the sideline — it’s not just branding. It’s business. Follow us on X, TikTok, and Instagram (links in our bio), and remember: the money always tells the story. We appreciate the support!
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    11 mins
  • 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 mins
  • 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 mins
  • 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 mins
  • 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 mins
  • 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 mins
  • 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 mins