This case looks at issues facing three National Football League (NFL) teams in 2004: the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, and San Francisco 49ers. The case is written from the perspective of a consultant that will be moderating a debate on business management priorities facing NFL clubs. Each of the three clubs profiled faced different issues in 2004. The Cardinals struggled with poor attendance, an out-of-date stadium, and public reluctance to fund a new facility. The Texans, a new team that had played its first season in 2002, were building their franchise. The 49ers, once one of the league's elite franchises, were struggling with poor on-field performance, salary-cap limits, and an obsolete facility. The case prepares students for a discussion of business management priorities, including competitive success, financial success, and enhancement of fan loyalty and support.
