Dad took us to a lot of the games in the early and mid 60s when kids got in for only a couple of bucks, and even good adult seats were only $6 or 7, or something in that range. Middle class families are just about priced out of it now, though. But of course, players in the 60s made a tiny pittance compared to today. Didn't Jim Brown only make about 50K a year when he hung it up?
I remember hearing about how most pro players worked in the off season, maybe in insurance sales, stock brokerage, or something like that. No need for them to do anything like that nowadays!
Originally Posted by Ex-CEO
The father of a friend of mine played for the Steelers in the late 40s. He said Art Rooney gave each player one pair of cleated playing shoes which were expected to last the entire season. They didn't earn salaries. They were paid by the game. So yeah, everyone had a day job and an off-season job. Pro football was something you did on weekends in the Fall for a few extra bucks.
Television and its humongous revenue streams have ruined pro football. Why would anyone cry if those revenue streams finally get pinched? It's about time. But the good old days are gone forever. Football is a fucking business, not a game.