The Financial Machine Behind Week 1 in the NFL - Gambling, International Games, and More

The NFL is back — and Week 1 isn’t just football, it’s big business. In this episode of Moneyballers, Zach breaks down why opening weekend is one of the league’s most valuable assets. From billion-dollar TV rights and record ad rates, to sky-high ticket sales and luxury suite revenue, to the explosion of legal sports betting, Week 1 is a financial machine like no other. We’ll also dive into how player contracts and roster guarantees hinge on being active for kickoff, why preseason money doesn’t come close to regular season dollars, and what this all means for the future of the NFL schedule and international expansion.If you’ve ever wondered why networks spend billions to air these games — or why owners are pushing for 18 regular season contests — this episode lays it all out. And if you’re enjoying the show, the best way to support it is by leaving us a rating and review on your podcast app. It helps more fans find Moneyballers and keeps us breaking down the business of the NFL all season long. You can find us on X, TikTok, and Instagram, so come check us out!