1997 NFL Preseason Economics

As the 1997 preseason schedule moves into its latter stages, it is worth noting the following regarding the structure of preseason economics:

• Total preseason revenues will amount to only approximately 6% of the nearly $2.5 billion in total league revenues in 1997.
• Players get the largest share of revenues from NFL preseason games since all ticket, TV and radio proceeds from these games are part of designated gross revenues (DGR). The players are guaranteed via the CBA a minimum of 62% of DGR for the 1997 season, and this applies to both preseason and regular season games.
• Veteran players also get paid (via the CBA) $1,000 per week (rookies $650 per week) during preseason from the opening of training camp until the week before the regular season openers.