In 2023, the greatest share of players by ethnic group in the National Football League (NFL) were black or African American athletes, constituting just over ** percent of players within the NFL. Despite the large population of Hispanic or Latino people within the United States, there is a substantial underrepresentation within the NFL, with only *** percent of players identifying as such. National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that was established in 1920 and now consists of 32 clubs divided into two conferences, the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). The league culminates in the Super Bowl, the NFL's annual championship game. As the league’s championship game, the Super Bowl has grown into one of the world's largest single-day sporting events, attracting high television ratings and generating billions of dollars in consumer spending. NFL revenues The NFL is one of the most profitable sports leagues in the world, generating a staggering **** billion U.S. dollars in 2022. This total revenue of all ** NFL teams has constantly increased over the past 15 years and, although this figure dropped significantly in 2020, this was largely as a result of the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) containment measures. This significant drop in revenue demonstrates one of the primary impacts of COVID-19 on professional sports leagues. NFL franchises As a result of this profitability in non-pandemic times, the franchises of the NFL are attributed extremely high market values. The Dallas Cowboys were by far the most valuable franchise in the NFL, with a market value of **** billion US dollars in 2023. The high value of NFL franchises can be seen clearly when compared to those of the NBA, MLB, and NHL. Franchises within the NFL had an average market value of approximately *** billion U.S. dollars in 2023.

Of the big four professional sports leagues in North America, the NFL and the NBA have the highest percentage of African American players. In 2024, around **** percent of NFL players were African American, as well as around **** percent of assistant coaches.

The average length of a player's career in the National Football League (NFL) is relatively short, with the average career lasting around 3.3 years. The league is considered one of the most physically demanding sports leagues in the world, with players regularly exposed to hard hits and collisions. This leads to a high risk of injury, and many players are forced to retire early or miss significant time due to injuries. Additionally, the NFL is highly competitive, with a large pool of talented players who are eager to take the place of those who are injured or no longer able to perform at a high level.

Injuries are all too common in the NFL Injuries are a common and significant concern in the NFL. Due to the physical nature of the sport, players are at risk of a wide range of injuries, including both acute injuries such as broken bones and concussions, as well as chronic injuries such as joint and muscle problems. Concussions and other head injuries are also a major concern in the NFL. Football players are at a higher risk of concussions than athletes in other sports, due to the nature of the game and the fact that players are often hit in the head. Concussions can lead to a variety of long-term health problems, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive degenerative disease of the brain that is linked to repeated head trauma.

Preventative measures The NFL has implemented some measures to try to reduce the number and severity of injuries, such as rule changes to reduce the number of hits to the head, better equipment, and more stringent return-to-play protocols after an injury. The NFL also funds research on injuries and works with medical experts to develop best practices for preventing and treating injuries. However, many fans still believe that more can be done to improve player welfare and prioritize player safety over entertainment and revenues.

Life after football When a player decides to retire, they have several options available to them. Many players transition to a different career, while others may choose to pursue other interests or spend time with their families. Some of the common career paths that retired NFL players pursue include broadcasting, coaching, business, philanthropy, politics, sports management, continuing education, and personal training or fitness coaching.

The NFL also offers several retirement benefits for players, such as pension plan, disability and death benefits, and health insurance for players, and their families. The NFL Players Association also provides assistance and support for players as they transition out of football and into new careers.

During the 2024/25 season, the San Francisco 49ers had the highest player payroll among the 32 teams competing in the National Football League (NFL). The team had a payroll amounting to approximately *** million U.S. dollars. By comparison, the NFL teams with the lowest player payroll during the 2024/25 season were the Las Vegas Raiders at *** million U.S. dollars. What is the average ticket price for a Los Angeles Rams game? The average ticket price for a Los Angeles Rams home game was around *** U.S. dollars in the 2023 season. During that period, the Los Angeles Rams recorded an average home attendance of ****** spectators. The Los Angeles Rams average regular season home attendance peaked in 2016 at ******. What NFL team has the highest franchise value? Even though the Dallas Cowboys have neither won nor competed in a Super Bowl since 1996, the team is still by far the most valuable franchise in the NFL. In 2025, the Cowboys has a franchise value of ** billion U.S. dollars; this was around *** billion U.S. dollars more than its closest rival, the Los Angeles Rams. Meanwhile, the New York Giants had the third-highest franchise value that year at **** billion.