NFL's Richest Owners Are Eyeing Fan Pockets, And Denver Is Already Fuming

Holy smokes, you guys, this news out of Denver has me shaking my head. The Broncos are full-steam ahead on potentially building a brand-new stadium over at Burnham Yard, and get this: they haven't ruled out making their loyal fans foot part of the bill with Personal Seat Licenses, or PSLs. Seriously? We're talking about a move that could hit season ticket holders for thousands, and honestly, the backlash from their fanbase is already reaching a fever pitch. This isn't just about a new building; it's about whether the richest owners in the NFL expect fans to bankroll their stadium dreams.

More Money, More Problems for Broncos Country?

So, what exactly are PSLs? They're basically a one-time fee you pay just for the right to buy season tickets. That's right, you shell out big bucks before you even pay for the actual games! Broncos president Damani Leech was quoted last September saying they hadn't made a final decision, but he was quick to point out that "essentially all new NFL stadiums built in the last decade-plus have used them."

He's not wrong about it being a common tactic. Remember when Stan Kroenke did it for the Los Angeles Rams and SoFi Stadium? Those PSLs went from $1,000 all the way up to $15,000, giving fans rights through 2068. More recently, the Buffalo Bills slapped PSLs on Highmark Stadium ranging from $2,000 to a staggering $50,000! That's a serious chunk of change. But here's the kicker, folks: Denver doesn't have a "typical" ownership group. The Walton-Penner family is, by far, the richest ownership group in the entire NFL. They're worth billions more than anyone else! If anyone can afford to build a stadium without hitting up the fans, it's them. It makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Fans Are NOT Having It, And It's Ugly

And you know what? Broncos fans are absolutely right to be mad. The team actually surveyed season ticket holders back in 2023 about PSLs, and the social media pushback was immediate and strong. I saw tweets like @H_MooreCO saying they'd be out if PSLs hit nearly $15,000 for three seats, plus a $2,400 season price increase, bringing their total to almost $6,000. And @AlamoOnTheRise nailed it, tweeting that PSLs "price out average-income fans" and are a way for the Walton-Penner group to "wash out longstanding, lower income season ticket holders." Ouch.

It's not like the demand isn't there, either. The Broncos have sold out every home game since 1970! For the 2026 season, a record 99.5% of season ticket holders renewed, even after a 9% average price increase. So, yeah, demand is high, and the team probably figures they'll find new fans if some drop off. But is that really the way you treat the loyal folks who've been there forever?

Even though no final decision has been announced, the fact that the Broncos keep bringing up how other teams use PSLs? It definitely feels like they're leaning that way. So, Denver fans, you should probably brace yourselves. And if you've got deep pockets, maybe you'll move up that season ticket waitlist when some long-time supporters get priced out. It's a tough pill for any fanbase to swallow, especially when the owners could easily cover it themselves. Let's see if the Emerald City ever has to deal with something like this!

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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.