Looking back at the S&P 500 index level, it’s hard to miss the 2008 recession. However, if you glance over at the chart on the right, you’ll see two of the top players in one industry whose revenue was virtually unaffected. The industry I’m talking about is Sports.

The National Football League (NFL) and English Premier League (EPL) survived the 2008 recession seemingly unscathed.

So what’s going on here? How was the sports industry not impacted by a recession so devastating to the rest of the world’s economy?

One reason is that sports have an extremely loyal and devoted consumer base. Sports fans especially turn to sports to escape harsh realities. It provides them with a much needed escape, as well as social connectedness, something we need the most when times are tough. Following sports also doesn’t take much. Fans can watch games from the comfort of their own home, often as part of their cable package. 95% of NFL fans never even attend a game. And with over half the global population tuning in, it’s no wonder the game must and will go on.