Good post. I agree that Goodell and the owners are just acting like business people do, but I also think their business has gotten so complicated that they don’t know how to deal with what they’ve got on their hands. The biggest problem they face is that they have too many different kinds of “customers” (fans, TV networks and sponsors), and they may not be able to keep all three of them happy at the same time.
I agree about the too many "customers". I think, dollarwise, the NFL gets more cash from the TV networks that they do directly from fans purchasing tickets to see games in the local stadiums. The TV networks get the cash to pay the NFL from the sponsors. The sponsors are actually paying for the attention (or eyeballs) of the fans watching the game. So, I think this goes around in circles.
I think most seats at local stadiums are already sold for the season, to season ticket holders. I believe the NFL has multi-year contracts with the TV stations. I don't think the NFL will immediately feel a cash pinch if fewer people are viewing the games.
I think the TV Networks, and the media companies in general, are the most vulnerable financially. The networks need the NFL as a content provider. If you look at the Nielsen ratings of most-watched TV shows, football games are always at the top of the list. The singing shows (The Voice, America's Got Talent) and dancing shows (Dancing with the Stars) do well in the ratings, but not as well as football. The network-produced comedies and dramas do not do so well. The networks no longer have the ability to produce entertainment that large numbers of people wish to watch. If people are no longer turning in to football, there goes a large part of their audience, and part of their ability to charge for advertising.
The NFL owners may nor may not change tactics. They may or may not come to appreciate their fans. Time will tell.
My own belief is that the media will not change their focus. They are content to roll left and die. They give the impression they hate America and Americans. I believe the people running those companies will push their politics no matter what, even if their corporations are run into the ground.