NFL Controversies

Professional football reigns as the king of American sports, attracting not only millions of male fans but also growing legions of female enthusiasts. National Football League games regularly top U.S. television ratings, and more than 100 million people tuned in to this year's Super Bowl, setting a viewership record for the annual spectacle. But football at all levels is embroiled in controversies that sports scholars believe could tarnish the NFL's iconic stature. Studies showing a high incidence of brain injury in former players could reduce youth participation in football, a key source of players for the NFL, and repel fans concerned about the sport's violent nature. In addition, domestic violence and other criminal acts by NFL players have made big headlines and put NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in the hot seat for his handling of player discipline. Meanwhile, economists and other critics are questioning whether cities that have helped owners build lavish, tax-supported stadiums to attract or retain NFL teams are getting a solid return on their investment.