NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the recession has helped build TV audiences for NFL games.
Speaking on CBS' "60 Minutes," to be aired Sunday, Goodell says of nearly 60 million people tuning in to watch last Sunday's conference championships, "People want to feel part of a group . and right now during these difficult times, they can turn on free television and watch the greatest entertainment that's out there."
Goodell, who this week received a contract extension through March 2019, oversees a league with revenues exceeding $10 billion and with labor peace for another nine years.
Goodell expresses concern, however, "that because the experience is so great at home," it becomes more challenging to get fans to attend games.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
