At this time they don't matter because they already got their money and will continue to get it because the product won't suffer BUT if the PLAYERS DECIDE TO START SITTING in the future it will cause that money to be gone because ESPN and all the other sponsors will start to lowball the NFL if they even attempt to get the product.
You think that these players can just be replaced by a body but that's isn't the case. They quality would go down, the product would be trash, that's why the NFL will never have a competitor because it can't be replace. Brady could be replaced by an NFL capable player but to just pull in a player who played in college and was a bum to take his spot because of thr need to put someone in a uniform...that won't work.
If it did the XFL would have lasted longer. The players in the league are what makes this whole thing work and if they ever decided to step back then it would hurt the league...that and the media but thatsba different story
I have tickets to tonight's Redskins/Packers game. I won't be there, but a lot of fans will even though the star players may only be on the field for 2 or 3 possessions. It doesn't matter who is on the field, most of us fans will watch (and spend money on) the product because we love FOOTBALL.
I'm telling you that I'm a Redskins fan to prove a point. We have been TERRIBLE for a long time, but are still a profitable team. We've gone through more coaches & qb's than 29 other teams in the last 10 years, but we fans still go to games, buy $10 beers at FedEx Field, and watch religiously on Sundays.
My point is, it doesn't matter if RG3, Colt McCoy, or Rex Grossman is on the field, we fans still willingly give Daniel Snyder our money. I guess you're a Steelers fan. If Mike Tomlin gets fired, you'll still be a Steelers fan, and go to their games. Even though they're retired, you might still buy a Hines Ward or Jerome Bettis jersey. If I, you, and more fans decided to stop going to games, & buying jerseys then owners & the league would listen.