Stephen Dubner

OK, split by three players with, let's call it, eight home games a season. So a little over $6,000 a game you're paying out of pocket. I'll trust your math.

That, again, is the economist Betsy Stevenson.

That, again, is the economist Betsy Stevenson.

That, again, is the economist Betsy Stevenson.

Betsy, are you surprised that firms that are paying their key employees a relatively very high salary, that at least some of them on some dimensions are apparently so cheap when it comes to perks and benefits?

Betsy, are you surprised that firms that are paying their key employees a relatively very high salary, that at least some of them on some dimensions are apparently so cheap when it comes to perks and benefits?

Betsy, are you surprised that firms that are paying their key employees a relatively very high salary, that at least some of them on some dimensions are apparently so cheap when it comes to perks and benefits?

Like one more victory would be worth quite a bit of money.

Like one more victory would be worth quite a bit of money.

Like one more victory would be worth quite a bit of money.

Do you think the issue here is that they're not connecting it necessarily or not believing the connection to productivity? Because otherwise it's hard for me to understand why they would cheap out.

Do you think the issue here is that they're not connecting it necessarily or not believing the connection to productivity? Because otherwise it's hard for me to understand why they would cheap out.

Do you think the issue here is that they're not connecting it necessarily or not believing the connection to productivity? Because otherwise it's hard for me to understand why they would cheap out.

Can I just say, if this economist thing doesn't work out for you, maybe NFL training room decorator would be a lovely second career.

Can I just say, if this economist thing doesn't work out for you, maybe NFL training room decorator would be a lovely second career.

Can I just say, if this economist thing doesn't work out for you, maybe NFL training room decorator would be a lovely second career.

Are NFL team owners and bosses really just doing stupid things? We'll find out after the break. If you like this episode of Freakonomics Radio, there are three things you can do. Number one, listen every week. We're here. You should be too. Number two, tell your friends and family to listen. That's the gift that keeps giving.

Are NFL team owners and bosses really just doing stupid things? We'll find out after the break. If you like this episode of Freakonomics Radio, there are three things you can do. Number one, listen every week. We're here. You should be too. Number two, tell your friends and family to listen. That's the gift that keeps giving.

Are NFL team owners and bosses really just doing stupid things? We'll find out after the break. If you like this episode of Freakonomics Radio, there are three things you can do. Number one, listen every week. We're here. You should be too. Number two, tell your friends and family to listen. That's the gift that keeps giving.

And number three, if you're really ambitious, leave us a review or rating on your podcast app. Thanks in advance. We'll be right back. So, according to a recent survey conducted by the NFL Players Union, many pro football teams are not such great places to work. We reached out to all 32 teams asking for an interview with their owner or president. Nine never responded.