NFL Getting Desperate: Ticket Prices Fall to $29 as Ratings Nightmare Continues

The NFL has once again found itself in a public relations nightmare — this time involving extremely low ticket resale prices due to a massive decline in ticket sales.

On Dec. 10, M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore will play host to a sold-out contest between the Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions. However, the resale prices for tickets to the game are shocking.

According to The Baltimore Sun, tickets being resold cost as little as $29 for an upper-deck end zone seat that originally sold for $80.

The decline in ratings and attendance is a problem that isn’t unique to the Ravens franchise. Rather, it’s one that is plaguing the entire league.

A Twitter user stated that tickets to Sunday’s game between the Miami Dolphins and the visiting Denver Broncos were supposedly selling for as low as $19.

End of 1st wtr Broncos @ Dolphins. Everyone who is gonna be here is already here, about 40K out of 65K seats (~60% attendance). Lots of empty seats, selling for $19 (say our seatmates). @NFL @NFLPA kneeling = $millions lost revenue. #HowToKillASport @EmptySeatsPics pic.twitter.com/MybTUgYJQl

— JamesMa75511555 (@JamesMa75511555) December 3, 2017

Another Twitter user revealed that the stands at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium appeared to be largely vacant as both teams took the field shortly before kickoff on Sunday.

#Broncos take the field at @HardRockStadium against the #Dolphins. pic.twitter.com/TqprQRJhme

— Ian St. Clair (@IanStClair) December 3, 2017

Even the Atlanta Falcons, who appeared in last season’s Super Bowl, couldn’t seem to fill their brand-new $1.5 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium for their game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Lots of empty seats for the biggest game of the NFL week… pic.twitter.com/kQDZySMFtU

— Brian Handke (@brianhandke) December 3, 2017

The extremely low ticket resale prices, and dip in attendance come at a time when the NFL is experiencing a “massive two-year decline” in ratings, according to Nielsen data obtained by Sporting News in October.

In September, President Donald Trump called for viewers to boycott the league after the national anthem protests started by Colin Kaepernick in 2016 continued on into the 2017 season.

If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2017

“If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!” Trump wrote.

While the politicization of the league is thought to have played a factor in the NFL’s mass decline in fan interest, it is believed that other factors are also playing a role.

As noted by Forbes contributor Jonathan Berr, the increased awareness of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, boring teams, bad teams in large viewer markets and an aging fan base can all be potential elements influencing a lack of viewership in the NFL.

Berr offered a dismal take on the NFL’s current problem regarding fan attendance, stating that “football has got loads of problems that aren’t going to be solved anytime soon.”

We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.