Local Bar Managers Rejoice as NFL Lockout Ends

The NFL lockout is over and local business owners are the only ones happier than Bolingbrook fantasy football managers to see football return to the field.

According to a Huffington Post report, NFL players voted to OK a final deal Monday, days after the owners approved a tentative agreement, and the sides finally managed to put an end to the 4 1/2-month lockout, the longest work stoppage in league history.

The agreement has already put the wheels in motion for local businesses that were in a wait-and-see mindset.

Jim Sawyer, general manager of , said Ashbury's would have no doubt lost some revenue had the NFL lockout lasted into the regular season, which is slated to begin Sept. 8.

Ashbury's runs several promotions and specials during Sunday and Monday night football games. Last season they had for Chicago Bears games.

"Obviously, we were concerned," Sawyer said. "You work hard to get that base [of customers] and, all of a sudden, it was out of our control. But that is all moot now."

Bar owners across Bolingbrook—popular sports bars like , and —must feel the same.

According to a Huffington Post report in March, local businesses stood to lose a lot had the NFL canceled its season. 

From the report:

A canceled NFL season could mean zero profits. 

Out of 365 days, the NFL season represents 21 Sundays (don't forget additional revenue from Monday night football, a few Thursdays and Saturdays.)

My total revenue for the year is approximately $3.5 million. $300,000 of this revenue -- or 8 percent of my total revenue -- was generated by these 21 NFL football Sundays. Last year my profit was this amount. So there you go: my profit will be largely wiped out if an NFL lockout occurs.

Without football, Sundays average only about $2,000 in revenue. With football during the regular season, we average a whopping 600 percent more or approximately $12,000 on any given Sunday. Add $2,000 for playoffs without a home team playing, or at least another $5,000 with a home team, totaling approximately $14,000 to $17,000 for playoffs, which take place for three weeks.

Depending on who is playing, the Super Bowl can range from $20,000 to $30,000. The difference is staggering. Multiply the difference by 8.875% and you'll figure out how much in sales tax is wiped away.

Sawyer said Ashbury's was planning on more heavily promoting college football games if the NFL lockout lasted into the season. Still, he said a typical Sunday afternoon during the NFL season produced standing-room only crowds, with the dining room usually 60 percent full.

Aside from carrying all of the Bears games, Ashbury's also purchases the NFL Sunday Ticket package, which allows it to show every NFL game every week.

"I wasn't really concerned during the first 30 days or so but once it got closer to training camp, I became more concerned," Sawyer said. "But now that it's signed, sealed and delivered, the bartenders here are thrilled about having Bears games back on TV."