NFL

Warren Sapp, formerly an unstoppable defensive tackle with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders, is in Chapter 7, has been hit hard by a bad real estate deal that sapped his NFL fortune.

Sports apparel behemoths Reebok and Nike have reached a settlement in their fight over New York Jets merchandise featuring iconic quarterback Tim Tebow.

The NFL scandal over bounties has put big money at risk -- not just for the New Orleans Saints, but for the whole league. With so much ad revenue at stake, it's no wonder the NFL is pushing so hard against any offensive behavior.

The get tackled, fouled, body-checked and more to make their money. And then, pro athletes get beat up again by the tax men.

Retailers and consumer products companies are on charging downfield toward a touchdown on Super Bowl Sunday. Consumer spending related to the big game is expected to reach an all-time high this year, with the average watcher projected to shell out $63.87 on Super Bowl-related merchandise.

Fans are wondering about the fate of football in St. Louis as a deadline approaches for a plan to upgrade the home of the Rams. Next Wednesday, Feb. 1, is the deadline for the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission to outline how it will transform the Edward Jones Dome into a "first-tier" stadium by 2015. If it fails to do so, the Rams can break their lease %u2014 and potentially move %u2014 after the 2014 season.

Forget the screen pass. When Super Bowl XLVI rolls around in February, you may find yourself calling an audible for a stream pass instead. The NFL is making its biggest game available as a legal stream for the first time ever.

Good news, Packers fans. This week only, you actually can own a piece of the Pack for the low, low price of just $250. Just don't plan on ever being able to sell your shares in the team for a profit.

The NFL has something broadcasters lust after: a reliably strong source of ratings. So as its football games migrate onto smartphones, iPads, and anything else with a screen, its no surprise that CBS, Fox and NBC -- not to mention Sirius, Westwood One Radio and Verizon -- are all lining up to pay billions to carry them.

Maybe the labor fight between the NFL's billionaire owners and millionaire players left a bad taste in your mouth. Maybe the league's average ticket price of $76 is just too much. But whatever the reason, you feel you deserve a deal on football. How about major college tickets?