• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 2, 2025

The Rise in the Cost of a Super Bowl Commercial

  • Since first Super Bowl, ad prices have increased 16,371% percent.
  • NBC generated $578 million in-game revenue in 2022.
Super Bowl
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Super Bowl Sunday has become an unofficial national holiday in the United States. Football fans — casual or die-hard gather around the television with their favorite foods and snacks – and check out the commercials.

Since the first Super Bowl in 1967, the game has grown exponentially and become a gold mine for potential advertisers. 

Besides the game’s enormous reach, it’s the one day of the year when advertisers are guaranteed consumers will watch their commercials. Many casual fans watch more for the funny, celebrity-filled spots than the football. 

Over the years, Super Bowl commercials have become one of the most highly anticipated parts of a Super Bowl broadcast. In today’s fragmented media environment, advertisers take advantage of having the exclusive attention of potentially over 100 million viewers. Companies try their best to be one of the most remembered, but some companies flop in their effort to reach consumers.

The first 30-second ad for Super Bowl I between the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs cost $42,500. With inflation adjustments, it would have cost $372,390.34.

Rising Costs

Super Bowl in-game ad spots first cracked the $1 million mark in 1995. Last year, brand marketers paid a record $7 million ($233,333 per second) for in-game spots during Fox Sports’ telecast of Super Bowl 57.

That’s just for airtime. It doesn’t count the millions in production costs or the big-money fees paid to top directors.

The broadcast networks are smiling at the bank. Last year’s Super Bowl between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams (98.18 million viewers) generated over $578 million in in-game commercial revenue for NBC, according to research firm Kantar  — an excellent return on investment for the networks and their combined 11-year, $110 billion media rights deal, completed in 2021.

Commercial Cost Over Years

YearCostToday’s Cost*
1967$42,500$372,390.34
1970$78,000$588,327.06
1975$107,000$582,046.19
1980$222,000$788,463.71
1985$525,000$1,427,917.05 million
1990$700,000$1,567,394.80 million
1995$1.2 million$2,304,370.08 million
2000$2 million$3,399,012.78 million
2005$2.4 million$3,718,221.28 million
2010$3 million$4,026,328.10 million
2015$4.25 million$5,247,656.29 million
2021$5.5 million$5,940,150.20 million
2022$6.5 million
2023$7 million
2024$7 million
*Inflation adjustment based on December 2022

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

ESPN, Fox Reluctant to Share Talent With Netflix for Christmas NFL Games

ESPN talents who worked last year’s games include Laura Rutledge and Mina Kimes.

$600M for Browns Stadium Sparks Cleveland Backlash, Possible Lawsuit

The awarding of public funds draws criticism and could bring a lawsuit.
Jun 10, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) drops back to pass during minicamp at their South Side facility.
opinion

Steelers Win-Now Mode Is Good News for NFL Media Partners

The conservative “Steeler Way” has finally adapted—and media partners are happy.
Jun 10, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins (81) participates in a drill during an NFL football minicamp at NRG Stadium.

30 of 32 NFL Second-Round Draft Picks Remain Unsigned

Some rookie training camps start in under two weeks.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Leo Messi

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
June 23, 2025

NBA Finals Game 7 Is Most-Watched Since 2019, but Series Drops 9%

Game 7 drew 16.35 million viewers, the most-watched NBA game since 2019.
June 24, 2025

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 19, 2025

Pacers Force Game 7, Could Spark Big Ratings Boost for NBA Finals

Game 7 could boost NBA Finals ratings after a slow start this year.
June 17, 2025

Stanley Cup Final Delivers Drama but Struggles for Eyeballs in U.S.

U.S. viewership fell while Canadian audiences for the event rose slightly.
June 17, 2025

Streaming Tops Linear for First Time, Sports Still Key to TV’s Resilience

Streaming hits another critical milestone in an accelerating media transition.
June 17, 2025

Zaslav Takes Pay Cut, TNT Sports Future Unclear in WBD Shake-Up

The TNT Sports parent company retools its executive pay after shareholder pushback.