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Hit Hard by Economy, NFL Is Downsizing

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 9, 2008 5:34 PM CST

(Newser) – Even the mighty NFL is not safe from the economy's tailspin. The league will eliminate around 14% of its workforce—office workers, not the fellows who wear helmets—and is freezing salaries and hiring until 2009, Bloomberg reports. “I would like to be able to report that we are immune to the troubles around us, but we are not,” the commissioner said.

The downsizing will affect the league's production facilities in LA, its film unit in New Jersey, and its headquarters in New York. The NFL is not alone in its plight, as Bloomberg notes that the NBA and MLB are also tightening their belts. While sport has weathered recessions before, “most of those recessions were when ticket prices were a heck of a lot lower than they are now,” one economist said.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, left, Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, center, and NBA commissioner David Stern, right.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, left, Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, center, and NBA commissioner David Stern, right.   (AP Photo)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams  is lifted into the air by teammate Steve Smith.
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams is lifted into the air by teammate Steve Smith.   (AP Photo)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Tyler Brayton.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Tyler Brayton.   (AP Photo)
Technicians monitor an NFL game.
Technicians monitor an NFL game.   (AP Photo)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Shannonals
Dec 9, 2008 10:04 PM CST
If the NFL ceased wasting huge amounts of money on the players, most of whom never finish their contracts, there would be a surplus of funds

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