Playmakers

How the NFL Really Works (And Doesn't)

By: Mike Florio

Narrated by: Dan Woren

The “riveting” (Al Michaels) story of a modern NFL that can’t get out of its own way—and can’t stop making money

In recent decades, the NFL has simultaneously become an athletic, financial, and cultural powerhouse—and a League that can’t seem to go more than a few weeks without a scandal. Whether it’s about domestic violence, performance-enhancing drugs, racism, or head trauma, the NFL always seems to be in some kind of trouble. Yet no matter the drama, the TV networks keep showing games, the revenue keeps rising, and the viewers keep tuning in.

How can a sports league—or any organization—operate this way? Why do the negative stories keep happening, and why don’t they ever seem to affect the bottom line? In this wide-ranging book, Mike Florio takes readers from the boardroom to the locker room, from draft day to the Super Bowl, answering these questions and more, and showing what really goes on in the sport that America can’t seem to quit.

Packed with new insights and reporting on scandals past and present, this book will be the talk of the League—whether the League likes it or not.

Critic reviews

“Mike Florio is masterful at getting to the crux of any story. Playmakers is a grand tour of the modern-day NFL. And he pulls no punches, which makes every entry even more riveting. Front to back, this is one terrific read.”—Al Michaels

“Playmakers looks at the NFL from all angles, and definitely from the player’s perspective. It will help fans understand how the League works, and what it means to play pro football in today’s NFL.”—Dak Prescott

“I have been a fan of Pro Football Talk since Mike launched the site and was thus delighted to learn that he had written a book. I anticipated that it would be packed with fascinating insights and intriguing analysis, and it is. Anyone interested in League history, League business, and League controversy should read Playmakers.”—Amy Trask, CBS Sports

“Mike Florio is one of our top three favorite writers at Pro Football Talk, and he is our favorite host of PFT Live. We thought this book was going to be about the ESPN show. It’s not, but it’s still good. If you have to read a book, this would be a good choice.”—Big Cat and PFT Commenter, hosts of Pardon My Take

Absolute must read for any NFL and PFT fan!

Will be rereading this every offseason until the next book Florio puts out! Only suggestion would be to have Florio narrate the book or a version himself. Maybe have Simms, BigCat, etc each read a chapter or section as well? $$$

a great book very enjoyable reading

this book is very enjoyable loved it really insightful I recommend it highly you'll learn a lot

Nothing New

If you are familiar with the game of football, this book will offer little you don’t already know. Well written for people who don’t follow football, but I’m afraid the average NFL fan will be familiar with 90% of what this book has to offer.

Worth the time and money

Cool to hear some behind the scenes stories and confirmation of rumors we’ve heard over the years. I do not like this narrator though.

Insightful and entertaining look into the NFL

An insightful and entertaining look into current matters in the NFL. Quick-paced and engaging, Playmakers covers a variety of relevant topics: the Draft; new and old penalties and rules; the treatment and development of players and coaches; off-field behavior of players, coaches, and owners; the impact that legalized gambling could have on the League; and more. Even if you have been following Florio for years, you are going to enjoy his astute (and humorous!) analysis of the matters the NFL has recently faced or will be facing in the near future.