Football+in+America+G2

=Football in America=

Overview
Football in America became is one of the most popular sports today. It was during the mid 20th century that professional football began to see popularity. The organization that launched professional football was the National Football League(NFL). The NFL was born out of a merger between the two football organizations in America at the time: the National Football League and the American Football League(AFL). In 1966, the two leagues combined to form one organization called the NFL. The were able to gain anti-trust status by promising a snator to put a team in his state. Different teams have dominated the NFL throughout its history. Football is a uniquely American sport.

Central Issue
American Football started to become mass marketed during the mid 20th century. The first Super Bowl, even though it had horrible attendance, had the more viewers than any other broadcasted game. The networks, both ABC and NBC aired the game, sold thirty-second ads for $42,500 apiece. The first Super Bowl foreshadowed what was to come in marketing during professional football games. Through the years, support for the NFL steadily rose. More and more teams were created while the league was gaining popularity. Americans loved to watch football on their television more than any other sport.

Conclusion/Historical Significance
The NFL went from a mediocre football league to a dominating force during the mid 20th century. During the first Super Bowl, the best tickets for a seat were only $12. Now, a fan can end up spending over $4300 for a seat at the Super Bowl. Baseball is still America's national pastime, but football is America's national obsession. The NFL made that statement true. They built football to be perceived as one of the greatest sports ever played.