Why does the NFL generate more revenue than the NBA despite fewer games?

The NFL's scarcity model—only 17 games per season versus the NBA's 82 games—creates premium demand and higher ticket prices. NFL games are cultural events concentrated over 4.8 months, commanding higher broadcasting rates and advertising premiums. Each NFL game averages $36.8 million in revenue efficiency, far exceeding the NBA's volume-based model. Additionally, the NFL dominates US television ratings, giving networks stronger premium pricing power.

Is the NBA's $76 billion media deal enough to surpass NFL revenue?

The $76 billion media deal over 11 years ($6.9 billion annually) significantly strengthens the NBA's financial foundation, but likely won't surpass NFL total revenue in the near term. The NFL's media deals and ancillary revenues total approximately $20 billion yearly. However, the NBA's global growth trajectory and 82-game structure provide long-term expansion potential, especially in international markets where basketball is gaining prominence.

Which league is more profitable for individual team owners?

NFL teams are more immediately profitable, averaging $625 million in revenue per team versus the NBA's $477 million. However, NBA franchises benefit from 4.8x more games generating consistent content and sponsorship opportunities. The most valuable franchise metric shows Dallas Cowboys at $12.8 billion (NFL) versus Golden State Warriors at $11.3 billion (NBA), indicating NFL teams hold valuation premiums currently.

Why is the NBA stronger internationally than the NFL?

Basketball's simpler rules, faster-paced gameplay, and lower equipment barriers make it more accessible globally. The NBA actively markets international stars (LeBron James, Stephen Curry) and has invested heavily in international leagues and talent development. American football requires specialized infrastructure, equipment, and deep cultural knowledge of the sport, limiting its appeal outside North America. The NBA's 82-game season also provides more frequent content for international media partners.

What is the revenue-per-game comparison really measuring?

NFL revenue-per-game ($36.8 million) measures total league revenue divided by regular season games (17 games × 32 teams). This shows premium efficiency—fewer games command higher prices. The NBA's $175 million per-game metric (total revenue ÷ games played across all teams) reflects cumulative value but dilutes the per-game premium. The NFL's metric better captures scarcity-driven pricing, while the NBA's demonstrates aggregate content volume value. Both are valid metrics for different strategic purposes.

NFL vs NBA Revenue

Updated March 30, 2026

National Football League (NFL)

32-team professional American football league generating $20+ billion annually.

Sports organizations and broadcasters prioritizing maximum US revenue generation and premium domestic viewership

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National Basketball Association (NBA)

30-team professional basketball league generating $14.16 billion annually with global reach.

Media companies and brands targeting international markets and year-round sports content; audiences prioritizing player personality and global reach

Short Answer

The NFL generates approximately $20 billion in annual revenue compared to the NBA's $14.3 billion, making the NFL significantly more profitable despite the NBA having more games per season and stronger international appeal.

Our Verdict

The NFL dominates North American revenue generation with $20 billion annually and unmatched US television ratings, making it more profitable per game. However, the NBA's 11-year $76 billion media deal and growing international presence position it for sustained growth. Choose NFL if revenue maximization through concentrated viewership matters most; choose NBA if long-term global expansion and media rights stability are priorities.

National Football League (NFL)7.8

7.3National Basketball Association (NBA)

Choose National Football League (NFL) if

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Key Differences at a Glance

🔹

Total Annual Revenue: National Football League (NFL) wins ($20 billion vs $14.3 billion)

📅

Revenue Per Team (Average): National Football League (NFL) wins ($625 million vs $477 million)

🔹

Games Per Season: National Basketball Association (NBA) wins (82 games vs 17 games)

See all 7 differences

Key Facts & Figures

Metric	National Football League (NFL)	National Basketball Association (NBA)	Diff
U.S. Viewership Market Share(%)	67.88%	55%	+23%
Average Annual Revenue Per Franchise(millions USD)	$550M	$350M	+57%
Regular Season Game Count(games)	17 games per team

Key Differences

National Football League (NFL)

Attribute

National Basketball Association (NBA)

$20 billion🏆

Total Annual Revenue

$14.3 billion

$625 million🏆

Revenue Per Team (Average)

$477 million

17 games

Games Per Season

82 games

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Last updated: March 30, 2026AI generated

Total Annual Revenue

National Football League (NFL)

$20 billion🏆

National Basketball Association (NBA)

$14.3 billion

Revenue Per Team (Average)

National Football League (NFL)

$625 million🏆

National Basketball Association (NBA)

$477 million

Games Per Season

National Football League (NFL)

17 games

National Basketball Association (NBA)

82 games🏆

US TV Ratings Dominance

National Football League (NFL)

#1 in America🏆

National Basketball Association (NBA)

Lower than NFL

Primary Media Deal Duration

National Football League (NFL)

Multi-year agreement

National Basketball Association (NBA)

11 years, $76 billion🏆

International Market Penetration

National Football League (NFL)

Primarily US-focused

National Basketball Association (NBA)

Global powerhouse🏆

Per-Game Revenue Efficiency

National Football League (NFL)

$36.8 million per game🏆

National Basketball Association (NBA)

$175 million per game

Full Comparison

Attribute	National Football League (NFL)	National Basketball Association (NBA)

U.S. Viewership Market Share(%)	67.88%	55%
Average Regular Season Viewership (2026)(millions)	~16-17 million	1.80 million

International Reach	Strong in North America, growing in UK/Europe	Dominant in Asia, Europe, MENA, Latin America

Average Annual Revenue Per Franchise(millions USD)	$550M	$350M

Regular Season Game Count(games)	17 games per team	82 games per team
Regular Season Games Per Year(games)	17	82
Regular Season Games Per Team(games)	17 games	82 games

Average Game Duration(hours)	3.5 hours	2.5 hours

Global Marketable Superstars	Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce (team-centric)	LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Giannis (globally iconic)

Estimated Monthly Viewership Cost Per U.S. Household(USD)	$122.93 (shared across sports)	$122.93 (shared across sports)

Flagship Annual Event Viewership (2026)(millions)	125.6 million (Super Bowl LX)	1000+ million global (NBA Finals estimated)
US Television Ratings Ranking(rank)	#1 Most-watched sport in America	Lower than NFL
Estimated U.S. Annual TV Viewers(Millions)	270+ million	150+ million

Annual Revenue(Billions USD)	$20B+	$10B+

YoY Viewership Growth (2026)(%)	Stable	+18%

International Popularity(null)	Lower	Higher
International Revenue Percentage(Percent)	10%	35%

Number of Teams(teams)	32	30

Social Media Engagement(null)	Lower engagement	Stronger engagement

Total Annual Revenue(USD billions)	$20.0 billion	$14.3 billion
Average Revenue Per Team(USD millions)	$625 million	$477 million
Total Annual League Revenue(USD Billions)	$20+ billion	$14.16 billion

Media Rights Deal Value(USD billions)	Multi-year (undisclosed recent renewal)	$76 billion over 11 years

Salary Cap Per Franchise (2026)(USD Millions)	$224.8 million	$166 million
Highest Single-Season Player Salary(USD Millions)	$55 million (Jared Goff)	$60+ million (Supermax)

Average Franchise Valuation(USD Billions)	$6.5 billion	$8.5 billion

Regular Season Games (Per Team)(Games)	17 games	82 games

Number of Franchises(Teams)	32 teams	30 teams

National Football League (NFL)

National Basketball Association (NBA)

U.S. Viewership Market Share(%)

67.88%

55%

Average Regular Season Viewership (2026)(millions)

~16-17 million

1.80 million

International Reach

Strong in North America, growing in UK/Europe

Dominant in Asia, Europe, MENA, Latin America

Average Annual Revenue Per Franchise(millions USD)

$550M

$350M

Regular Season Game Count(games)

17 games per team

82 games per team

Regular Season Games Per Year(games)

Regular Season Games Per Team(games)

17 games

82 games

Average Game Duration(hours)

3.5 hours

2.5 hours

Global Marketable Superstars

Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce (team-centric)

LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Giannis (globally iconic)

Estimated Monthly Viewership Cost Per U.S. Household(USD)

$122.93 (shared across sports)

Flagship Annual Event Viewership (2026)(millions)

125.6 million (Super Bowl LX)

1000+ million global (NBA Finals estimated)

US Television Ratings Ranking(rank)

#1 Most-watched sport in America

Lower than NFL

Estimated U.S. Annual TV Viewers(Millions)

270+ million

150+ million

Annual Revenue(Billions USD)

$20B+

$10B+

YoY Viewership Growth (2026)(%)

Stable

+18%

International Popularity(null)

Lower

Higher

International Revenue Percentage(Percent)

10%

35%

Number of Teams(teams)

Social Media Engagement(null)

Lower engagement

Stronger engagement

Total Annual Revenue(USD billions)

$20.0 billion

$14.3 billion

Average Revenue Per Team(USD millions)

$625 million

$477 million

Total Annual League Revenue(USD Billions)

$20+ billion

$14.16 billion

Media Rights Deal Value(USD billions)

Multi-year (undisclosed recent renewal)

$76 billion over 11 years

Salary Cap Per Franchise (2026)(USD Millions)

$224.8 million

$166 million

Highest Single-Season Player Salary(USD Millions)

$55 million (Jared Goff)

$60+ million (Supermax)

Average Franchise Valuation(USD Billions)

$6.5 billion

$8.5 billion

Regular Season Games (Per Team)(Games)

17 games

82 games

Number of Franchises(Teams)

32 teams

30 teams

Pros & Cons

National Football League (NFL)

5 pros3 cons

Pros

$20 billion in annual revenue, highest among all major sports
#1 US television ratings consistently across all demographics
Highest per-game revenue efficiency at $36.8 million per game
17-game regular season creates intense scarcity and premium ticket pricing
Largest franchise valuations with Dallas Cowboys valued at $12.8 billion

Cons

Primarily concentrated in North American market with limited international growth
Only 16-17 weeks of regular season action per year limits merchandising opportunities
Aging fan demographic in some markets relative to NBA

National Basketball Association (NBA)

5 pros3 cons

Pros

82-game regular season provides 4.8x more games than NFL, maximizing content volume
11-year, $76 billion media rights deal ($6.9 billion annually) ensures revenue stability through 2036
Dominant global brand with strong international viewership in Europe, Asia, and Latin America
Higher social media engagement and younger audience demographics
Golden State Warriors valued at $11.3 billion demonstrates strong franchise valuations

Full Comparison

Attribute	National Football League (NFL)	National Basketball Association (NBA)

U.S. Viewership Market Share(%)	67.88%	55%
Average Regular Season Viewership (2026)(millions)	~16-17 million	1.80 million

International Reach	Strong in North America, growing in UK/Europe	Dominant in Asia, Europe, MENA, Latin America

Average Annual Revenue Per Franchise(millions USD)	$550M	$350M

Regular Season Game Count(games)	17 games per team	82 games per team
Regular Season Games Per Year(games)	17	82
Regular Season Games Per Team(games)	17 games	82 games

Average Game Duration(hours)	3.5 hours	2.5 hours

Global Marketable Superstars	Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce (team-centric)	LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Giannis (globally iconic)

Estimated Monthly Viewership Cost Per U.S. Household(USD)	$122.93 (shared across sports)	$122.93 (shared across sports)

Flagship Annual Event Viewership (2026)(millions)	125.6 million (Super Bowl LX)	1000+ million global (NBA Finals estimated)
US Television Ratings Ranking(rank)	#1 Most-watched sport in America	Lower than NFL
Estimated U.S. Annual TV Viewers(Millions)	270+ million	150+ million

Annual Revenue(Billions USD)	$20B+	$10B+

YoY Viewership Growth (2026)(%)	Stable	+18%

International Popularity(null)	Lower	Higher
International Revenue Percentage(Percent)	10%	35%

Number of Teams(teams)	32	30

Social Media Engagement(null)	Lower engagement	Stronger engagement

Total Annual Revenue(USD billions)	$20.0 billion	$14.3 billion
Average Revenue Per Team(USD millions)	$625 million	$477 million
Total Annual League Revenue(USD Billions)	$20+ billion	$14.16 billion

Media Rights Deal Value(USD billions)	Multi-year (undisclosed recent renewal)	$76 billion over 11 years

Salary Cap Per Franchise (2026)(USD Millions)	$224.8 million	$166 million
Highest Single-Season Player Salary(USD Millions)	$55 million (Jared Goff)	$60+ million (Supermax)

Average Franchise Valuation(USD Billions)	$6.5 billion	$8.5 billion

Regular Season Games (Per Team)(Games)	17 games	82 games

Number of Franchises(Teams)	32 teams	30 teams

National Football League (NFL)

National Basketball Association (NBA)

U.S. Viewership Market Share(%)

67.88%

55%

Average Regular Season Viewership (2026)(millions)

~16-17 million

1.80 million

International Reach

Strong in North America, growing in UK/Europe

Dominant in Asia, Europe, MENA, Latin America

Average Annual Revenue Per Franchise(millions USD)

$550M

$350M

Regular Season Game Count(games)

17 games per team

82 games per team

Regular Season Games Per Year(games)

Regular Season Games Per Team(games)

17 games

82 games

Average Game Duration(hours)

3.5 hours

2.5 hours

Global Marketable Superstars

Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce (team-centric)

LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Giannis (globally iconic)

Estimated Monthly Viewership Cost Per U.S. Household(USD)

$122.93 (shared across sports)

Flagship Annual Event Viewership (2026)(millions)

125.6 million (Super Bowl LX)

1000+ million global (NBA Finals estimated)

US Television Ratings Ranking(rank)

#1 Most-watched sport in America

Lower than NFL

Estimated U.S. Annual TV Viewers(Millions)

270+ million

150+ million

Annual Revenue(Billions USD)

$20B+

$10B+

YoY Viewership Growth (2026)(%)

Stable

+18%

International Popularity(null)

Lower

Higher

International Revenue Percentage(Percent)

10%

35%

Number of Teams(teams)

Social Media Engagement(null)

Lower engagement

Stronger engagement

Total Annual Revenue(USD billions)

$20.0 billion

$14.3 billion

Average Revenue Per Team(USD millions)

$625 million

$477 million

Total Annual League Revenue(USD Billions)

$20+ billion

$14.16 billion

Media Rights Deal Value(USD billions)

Multi-year (undisclosed recent renewal)

$76 billion over 11 years

Salary Cap Per Franchise (2026)(USD Millions)

$224.8 million

$166 million

Highest Single-Season Player Salary(USD Millions)

$55 million (Jared Goff)

$60+ million (Supermax)

Average Franchise Valuation(USD Billions)

$6.5 billion

$8.5 billion

Regular Season Games (Per Team)(Games)

17 games

82 games

Number of Franchises(Teams)

32 teams

30 teams

NFL vs NBA Revenue

National Football League (NFL)

National Basketball Association (NBA)

Short Answer

Our Verdict

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Key Differences at a Glance

Key Facts & Figures

Key Differences

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Pros & Cons

National Football League (NFL)

Pros

Cons

National Basketball Association (NBA)

Pros

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources & Learn More

Learn More

Wikipedia

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Full Comparison

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Cons

NFL vs NBA Revenue

National Football League (NFL)

National Basketball Association (NBA)

Short Answer

Our Verdict

🔔Track this comparison

Key Differences at a Glance

Key Facts & Figures

Key Differences

Related Comparisons

Explore Entities

More Sports

People Also Compare

Full Comparison

Visual Comparison

Pros & Cons

National Football League (NFL)

Pros

Cons

National Basketball Association (NBA)

Pros

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources & Learn More

Learn More

Wikipedia

Videos

Full Comparison

Visual Comparison

Cons

Track this comparison