Legendary sports agent suggests teams should take new approach as NFL ticket prices continue to skyrocket

Many football watchers will tell you that the at-home viewing experience is ideal for them, but there are still those who love watching NFL games from stadium seats and truly take in the experience with their own eyes.

However, as demand for the sport continues to grow, so have ticket prices just to get into a stadium on game day. As a result, some fans are simply having a hard time watching their favorite teams.

But legendary sports agent Leigh Steinberg, who has represented more than 300 professional athletes, most notably in football with a record eight No. 1 overall picks and 64 first-round picks under his belt, believes teams and owners should be more “progressive” with their tickets.

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He has an idea.

“I think it would be prudent and forward-thinking for them to reserve like 10,000 seats for each game to distribute them among working families and younger people,” Steinberg told News Digital in a recent phone call. “This way, at least by the end of the year, you’ll have a team planting the seeds for the future.”

Steinberg believes that to “truly enjoy football” you need to have played it or seen it live. That, in his eyes, “totally sustains that level of interest.”

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Yes, technological advances have made it easier for fans of all demographics to watch their favorite teams, as well as the rest of the NFL schedule, from their living room. In fact, some may even tell you that spending on the NFL’s highest package is better than attending live games at this rate.

This is because tickets are not the only thing to worry about when going to a live game.

Action Network did an analysis of the cost for a family of four to attend an NFL game in every stadium in the country. The study included ticket prices, which were primary and resale on Ticketmaster, food and beverages, and parking for said family. They even looked at the child admissions policy to see what ages could be free and to find out which stadiums were somewhat family-friendly.

At the top was Lincoln Financial Field, the home of the Philadelphia Eagles, who were the reigning Super Bowl champions when the season began in 2025. For $2,133.44, of which $2,058.44 was the price of four tickets, the family could enjoy the Eagles. Ford Field (Detroit Lions), Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas Raiders), Soldier Field (Chicago Bears) and Highmark Stadium (Buffalo Bills) round out the five most expensive stadiums for families.

The New York Jets and MetLife Stadium were the lowest at $555.94, although the league-wide average was $1,339 for four tickets.

At the same time, however, Steinberg understands supply and demand, and the latter is through the roof for the NFL. In turn, those who have the means to pay the expensive ticket prices do so, while others are left out.

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“Right now, there is so much excess demand that they can fix the price of those tickets [high]” Steinberg added. “I used to say, ‘Look, we have to think about the future.’ I tell them that players could make a little less money if it meant sustaining the sport long term. That means the price of tickets. “One time, an owner put his arm around me and said, ‘Son, that will never happen.'”

Could it happen one day? Steinberg surely hopes so, but as the insatiable appetite for football wanes, it will likely become more difficult for some to acquire tickets at the current price, let alone the secondary market markups.

‘Again, my suggestion would be for teams to plan and build for the future by having a section each week; They wouldn’t be the best entries, but who cares if you’re a little kid? I used to go to Rams games at the Coliseum in the ’50s and you would have needed a telescope. But you continue to generate interest in football. “That’s what I would do if I owned a team,” Steinberg said.

THE RETURN OF STEINBERG

While talking about all things football, Steinberg also talked about life and how his fight against adversity led him to write “The Comeback: A Playbook for Turning Life’s Setbacks into Victories.”

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Steinberg had built an empire representing the world’s best athletes, but he also had to deal with alcoholism and financial struggles, which ultimately led him to rock bottom. But he rebuilt himself through those difficult times and with this book he hopes to help others do the same.

Additionally, by sharing stories of athletes facing similar adversities, Steinberg believes all readers should learn this lesson.

“Internal introspection,” he said. “A realistic understanding of your own values ​​and priorities, whether it’s short-term financial gain, long-term financial security, spiritual values, family. It’s having internal clarity in terms of what really constitutes a fulfilling life. Then coming up with a plan to get back to that.”

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