About this episode
The N.F.L. is a powerful cartel with imperial desires. College football is about to undergo a financial reckoning. So maybe they should team up? (Part one of a two-part series.) SOURCES: DeMaurice Smith , former executive director of the National Football League Players Association. Domonique Foxworth , sports analyst and former N.F.L. player. Jeffrey Kessler , partner at the law firm of Winston & Strawn. Oliver Luck , sports executive and consultant. Victor Matheson , professor of economics at the College of the Holy Cross. RESOURCES: Turf Wars: The Fight for the Soul of America's Game , by DeMaurice Smith (2025). " Is there a Case for Subsidizing Sports Stadiums? " by Victor Matheson ( Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 2018). EXTRAS: " America’s Hidden Duopoly ," by Freakonomics Radio (2018). " Should the U.S. Merge With Mexico? " by Freakonomics Radio (2014). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.