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Though broadcast networks generally have been moaning about the overall profitability of showing NFL games on their channels, times could be changing. For now.

According to Variety, ad spots are selling faster than they were a year ago, and 75 percent of the season inventory is expected to be sold by the end of August.

Per the report, a strong economy has increased spending by companies such as automakers and beer distributors. Also, there is less trepidation this season; last year, the disappearance of ABC and the purchase by NBC of the Sunday night package led to slower sales.

"Last year at this time, there was a lot of skepticism in the marketplace, a wait-and-see attitude," Seth Winter, senior VP of NBC Sports told Variety. "Buyers were worried that football fatigue would set in by the time NBC came on the air in primetime."

ESPN, which pays more than $1.1 billion per year for the rights to Monday Night Football, already has sold more than 50 percent of its ad space for the season.

Maybe the networks will reinvest some of that money in luring more viewers to their broadcasts. There are impressive advertising opportunities on, for example, the Internet, where certain niche web sites cater to key demographics. I mean, we're just sayin'.

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