Working in professional football doesn’t mean you have to be an athlete. The NFL ecosystem is packed with jobs for people off the field. Whether you’re looking to make extra income on the weekends or want a career behind the biggest sport in the U.S., football offers more than just fandom. You just have to know where to look.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of ways you can earn money in and around the NFL — many of them without ever touching a football.
Sell Food or Beverages at the Stadium
Every NFL game pulls in tens of thousands of hungry and thirsty fans. And each of them is a potential customer. That’s where food service workers come in.
You can work as a stadium food vendor, either walking through the stands selling snacks or working at a concession stand. These positions are usually offered by companies contracted by the stadium, like Aramark or Levy.
Where to apply:
- Check vendor company websites directly (e.g., Aramark Careers or Levy Restaurants)
- Find team stadium job boards (search “[Team Name] stadium jobs”)
- Use seasonal job boards like CoolWorks or JobMonkey
Perks:
- Short shifts, often just game days
- Tips on top of hourly pay
- Free access to the game while you work
This type of work is ideal if you’re only looking for weekend gigs or happen to live near an NFL stadium.
Become a Gameday Assistant
Many NFL teams hire part-time staff to assist with operations during a football game. These jobs include ushers, ticket scanners, security screeners, field crew, and customer service reps.
Roles vary by team and stadium, but they all play a part in keeping the show running smoothly.
Where to find these roles:
- Visit the official careers page of NFL teams
- Look for posts on local government or venue job boards
What you’ll get:
- Hourly pay, typically between $15 to $25 per hour
- Access to behind-the-scenes operations
- Networking with stadium staff and local event managers
If you’re organized and great with people, you’ll enjoy working the crowd in this high-energy environment.
Officiate Youth or Flag Football Games
This one is for fans who know football rules inside and out. You don’t have to referee in the NFL to earn money with a whistle.
Local youth leagues, flag football programs, and even adult rec leagues need referees. These gigs can pay anywhere from $25 to $100 per game depending on level and location.
Steps to get started:
- Find your local officiating association (a quick Google search of “referee training [Your City]” works)
- Complete required training, which could be just a few sessions or an online certification
- Get assigned to games through your state’s youth sports commissioner or league director
You’ll need good judgment, fast reflexes, and the ability to stay level-headed even if players or parents challenge your calls.
Work for the NFL Itself
The National Football League employs more than just logistics and media professionals. The league office in New York and operational hubs throughout the U.S. offer administrative, marketing, legal, and broadcast roles.
Common departments hiring:
- Finance and Accounting
- Broadcast Operations
- Digital Media
- Social Strategy
- Legal and HR
Where to apply: Head to NFL.com/careers.
What makes these roles competitive? A background in sports management, media, or business helps, but networking and internships carry weight, too.
Intern with an NFL Team or Partner
College students or recent grads often land internships with NFL teams or affiliated companies. These are more than résumé builders — they can open doors to permanent jobs.
Examples of internships:
- Player development
- Marketing and community relations
- Scouting and analytics
search for internships through:
- Individual team career pages
- Handshake (for college students)
- TeamWork Online — a major sports job board
If you’re in school and want a career tied to professional football, spend your summers becoming part of a franchise’s back office.
Launch a Football-Related Side Hustle
If you’re creative, you don’t have to wait for a team to hire you.
Some fans make money with their passion by creating content, offering local experiences, or selling merchandise related to the NFL world.
Ideas include:
- Start a YouTube channel breaking down plays or fantasy insights
- Sell NFL-inspired art or apparel on Etsy (just avoid trademarked logos)
- Organize tailgate events for fans near stadiums
- Launch a blog focused on collectibles or betting strategies
This route requires more effort upfront but gives you full control and earning potential over time.
Drive Fans to Games with Rideshare Services
Game days bring huge spikes in demand for rideshare drivers. If you live in an NFL city, you can cash in before and after kickoff.
Hotspots:
- Areas around stadium parking lots
- Sports bars and tailgating zones
Using Uber or Lyft during peak hours could boost your earnings with surge pricing — especially if you’re patient and don’t mind bumper-to-bumper crowds right after games.
Sell Tickets on the Secondary Market
Some people make money by buying and reselling NFL tickets. This isn’t guaranteed income, but with demand for major games constantly high, profitable flips are possible.
What it takes:
- Knowledge of which teams, matchups, and weeks get high attention
- Access to presales or season tickets
- Willingness to hold onto tickets and sell at the right time
Platforms like StubHub, SeatGeek, or TickPick help you resell tickets legally. Just keep an eye on your local scalping laws.
Join Stadium Maintenance or Groundskeeping
Fields need care. Stadiums need cleaning. Equipment needs to be transported. None of it happens without teamwork off the field.
Groundskeeping roles aren’t glamorous, but they can lead to full-time employment with a team or arena. During offseasons, many of these same crews work concerts or other events held at the venues.
To apply:
- Check local listings for your team’s stadium
- Search “facilities assistant” or “grounds crew” on sports job boards
You’ll usually need some physical stamina, a flexible schedule, and a willingness to work outdoors in any weather.
Pursue a Career in Sports Journalism
If you’re skilled with words, the NFL needs voices to tell its stories.
Writers, podcast hosts, analysts, and streamers earn money covering football year-round. Whether you work for a media outlet or create your own brand, there’s always an audience hungry for NFL content.
Starting points:
- Launch a Substack for weekly takes
- Build a football TikTok account or YouTube channel
- Freelance for fan sites like SB Nation
With creativity and consistency, you could turn content creation into a full-time football-focused income.
Create Fantasy Football Tools or Services
More than 40 million people play fantasy football in the U.S. That’s a huge audience looking for help each season.
If you’re analytical and love stats, you could build tools to help players draft better, set weekly lineups, or analyze trades.
Possible ideas:
- Create downloadable draft guides
- Launch membership-based Discord groups
- Develop fantasy football calculators or projections
Football fans will pay for a real edge. If you provide quality advice, you can build brand loyalty — and a steady income stream — during the NFL season.
Take Photos or Shoot Video on Game Day
Photography is another field connected to the NFL. Media companies, blogs, local newspapers, and even fans need sharp visuals from every game.
If you have photo or video expertise, and can score a sideline pass or assignment, you can earn shooting content at games.
Who pays for this:
- Local sports magazines
- Influencers needing social content
- Fan-focused sites willing to license images or clips
This isn’t for complete beginners, but if you’re decent behind a camera and love live-action moments, it’s worth building a portfolio and reaching out to media outlets in your area.
Work With Sponsorships or Brand Activations
Every game is a marketing opportunity. Sponsors set up booths, give away merch, and offer interactive experiences at stadiums to connect with fans.
To pull it off, brands hire event workers and promotional staff to manage booths, talk to attendees, and rep the company in person.
You can find event-based work by searching for “brand ambassador” gigs on sites like:
- PopBookings
- All Aces Promotional Staffing
- EventStaffing
These jobs usually pay per shift, around $15 to $25 an hour, and often come with perks like free gear or future invites to other promotions.
The Bottom Line: Your NFL Money Path
You don’t have to wear a jersey or play the game to earn income around football. From stadium shifts and freelance gigs to long-term careers in media or operations, there are jobs across the NFL environment that pay.
If you live in or near a football city — or if you simply love the sport — explore these paths and cash in on your passion.
