Topic
16 facts from 6 episodes, in date order. These are what speakers said on the shows, each linked to the moment it was said. They aren't independently verified.
1920
The league that became the NFL was founded on August 20, 1920, at a car showroom in Canton, Ohio.
“started on August 20th, 1920, when the heads of several of these barnstorming quasi-professional football teams meet at the Jordan and Hupmobile Auto Showroom in Canton, Ohio.”
1920
Jim Thorpe, the Olympic champion, was made the first president of the league in 1920 to give it legitimacy.
“they're going to make Jim Thorpe the president of the league.”
1960
In January 1960 NFL owners needed 11 days and 23 votes to choose Pete Rozelle, the Rams' 33-year-old general manager, as commissioner.
“it takes 11 days and 23 separate votes of the NFL ownership groups in a total knockdown, drag out negotiation.”
1966
The AFL-NFL merger was announced on June 8, 1966, with a championship game between the leagues' winners starting that season and a single league from 1970.
“On Wednesday, June 8th, 1966, the merger agreement gets announced in a press release.”
1966
AFL franchises collectively paid the NFL owners $18 million over 20 years to join the league, far below the NFL's initial ask of $50 million per team.
“The AFL franchises did collectively pay the NFL owners $18 million to join the league.”
1977
The NFL first earned more from television than from ticket sales in 1977.
“That was the first year that the NFL made more money from television revenue than from ticket sales.”
1993
Free agency came to the NFL in 1993 in exchange for a salary cap tied to a percentage of league revenue.
“In 1993, players finally got it, at least as long as a player had been in the league for four years.”
2023
According to the host, Nike's NFL uniform deal is worth something like $200 million a year.
“the NFL deal alone is something like a $200 million a year deal.”
2024
In summer 2024 NFL owners voted to let a short list of private equity firms own up to 10% of a team as silent limited partners.
“the next offseason in summer of 2024, they vote to allow private equity into the NFL.”
2025
The hosts cite estimates that NFL gambling sponsorships are worth about $200 million a year, while Nielsen puts the league's indirect benefit from legal betting at about $2.3 billion a year.
“The estimates are that the NFL's gambling-related sponsorships are about $200 million a year between DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars.”
2025
In August 2025 the NFL agreed to sell NFL Network and its fantasy app to ESPN in exchange for a 10% equity stake in ESPN, pending regulatory review.
“August 2025, the NFL reached a deal with Disney and ESPN to essentially sell the NFL network, the NFL's cable network, and the NFL's official fantasy app to ESPN for a 10% equity stake”
2025
Forbes estimates NFL teams trade at about 10.7 times revenue, up from 6.4 times five years earlier, with average team value around $7.1 billion.
“Forbes now estimates the annual revenue multiple in the NFL is 10.7x, which is up from 9x in 2024 and 6.4x five years ago.”
2026
The NFL is launching an Innovation Summit in San Francisco the Friday before the Super Bowl, with Acquired's hosts as emcees.
“Because the Super Bowl is here in San Francisco this year. So they're launching an Innovation Summit Friday before the Super Bowl with all the big partners in the NFL, with Roger Goodell.”
Undated
Gonzalez says NFL agent fees are capped at 3% by collective bargaining, while marketing deal commissions are unlimited and typically around 20%.
“So if you sign an NFL contract, your agent, the most your agent can make is 3%.”
Undated
Acquired re-recorded about 40 minutes of material across roughly 15 parts of its NFL episode, the only time it has done so.
“David and I got on and re-recorded 40 minutes of material over maybe 15 different parts of the episode.”
Undated
The next Me, Myself, and AI episode features Jeff Miller, executive vice president of communications for the National Football League.
“We're back in early February to talk with Jeff Miller, executive vice president of communications for the National Football League, just in time for the Super Bowl.”
Episodes