[Bette]

Small-market teams like the Indianapolis Colts could find themselves straining under the pressure of the National Football League’s recently disclosed $9 billion debt, which is three times higher than Major League Baseball’s and estimated to be double that of the National Basketball Association.

Made public last month as part of a court filing, the NFL’s debt encompasses all league and team obligations. Sources close to the league said it is tied closely to stadium building projects.

The Colts, for example, are contributing $52 million toward construction of Lucas Oil Stadium. Team officials have to cover that debt while contending with an ever-escalating player payroll as new stadiums in larger markets push the salary cap skyhigh. The cap is based on the average revenue of the league’s 32 teams, and new stadiums are built to generate more money—which will skew the average, sports business experts said.

Colts could struggle with $9 billion NFL debt

Owner Jim Irsay says he isnt worried about his team's ability to pay its own debt, but is worried about remaining profitable while still maintaining a Super Bowl caliber team.

I am struggling to understand all aspects of these financial struggles in the NFL. But the player payroll is now $14 million more than it was 2 years ago. Where is the breaking point in all of this?