Behind closed doors could be (very) expensive for NFL teams. According to Forbes, they stand to lose a combined total of $ 5.5 billion (€ 5 billion) in stadium revenue if the 2020 season were to be played without spectators. The magazine, which annually assesses every club in the NFL, estimated that losing teams to a closed door would represent 38% of total NFL revenue for the 2018 season, the latest for which figures are available.
The loss of income would come from ticketing, parking, sponsorships, food, drinks and souvenir sales. The League announced this month its schedule for the 2020 season, which will begin on September 10 with the confrontation between the Kansas City Chiefs, holders of the Super Bowl, and the Houston Texans. The presence of spectators will depend on the regulations in place, including bans on meeting crowds in many American states, as well as medical advances in the fight against Covid-19.
The absence of spectators would hit some teams harder, with the prize announced for the Dallas Cowboys who would lose 621 million dollars (565 million EUR) in revenue on match day.
