NFL Fans And Their Credit: What CEOS Should Know

By Joseph Hammond

A recent survey by Experian found that NFL fans are shifting consumption patterns as the economy tightens in an lesson CEOs should take heed of.

According to the Survey some 68 percent of consumers will spend the same or more this season compared to the past season. Furthermore, 1 in 5 fans would take on an additional $5,000 in debt if it meant a world title and a trip to the Super Bowl for their team.

Experian, a global leader in data analytics and consumer credit reporting, is based in Dublin, Ireland. With its extensive database encompassing over 1 billion individuals and businesses, including 235 million U.S. consumers and more than 25 million U.S. businesses, Experian provides valuable insights that empower consumers and businesses alike.

“As fans make a difference with voices and wallets and buying tickets and contributing and improving the,” said Rod Griffin, Senior Director of Public Education for Experian. With the average NFL fan spending a whopping $743 dollars pers season on average according to the data collected in the survey.

The dropping expenditures at the stadium means fans are spending more on the fan experience at home or elsewhere – perhaps a shift in consumer patterns due to the pandemic.

The report also found that NFL fans would be willing to take on debt if meant that their team could win a championship. Experian partnered with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce to promote the report.

“They feel they have already spent enough as fans and they don’t tie that expenditure to the stadium experience. It can also be spent to improve the viewing exprienec at home fans are fanatic are by definition fanatics regardless of where they spend,”said Rod Griffin.

Ofcourse sports doesn’t [yet ?] allow that level of fan interaction with their teams. With the exception of the NFL’s Green Bay Packers (and the NBA’s Boston Celtics) fans cannot “invest” or take on debt in their team in any meaningful matter. Furthermore, the salary caps in the major American sports leagues. Of course in various minor leagues such as the Fan Controlled League fans can even direct play.

Intriguingly the report offered a snapshot on how fans of various teams perceive themselves. The Los Angeles Rams have the highest self-reported average credit score of 691. Not Far behind are their NFC West Division Rivals (689) and the New York Jets (683)

Conversely the teams whose fans had the lowest self-reported credit scores included the fans of the New Orleans Saints (633), Las Vegas Raiders (634), Baltimore Ravens (643), Cincinnati Bengals (641), and the Miami Dolphins (650).

Thus, the good news for fans with lower credit scores is simple — your team is more likely to be in playoff contention this year than fans with highest-credit scores.