This is the kind of shit that killed boxing as a major sport - limiting distribution of the product. You used to see boxing on "free" TV all the time, now you never do. On cable (e.g., ESPN) you only see minor fights, and for any fight with a name fighter (not necessarily even a big name) you have to fork over $$$$ for PPV.
And now? Boxing is nothing like what it was when I was growing up. It used to be a big fight - like Leonard-Hearns I, any of the Ali-Frazier fights - were events, like the Super Bowl, where the country basically stopped and paid attention. Now? When was the last time any of you remember a big fight like that.
NFL will go down the same road if they continue this bullshit.