has NFL owners actually helped grown the sport ? It seems like NFL owners in the last decade or two have put soccer in there stadiums and have gotten big crowds.
You are talking about friendlies? Only one MLS team has gotten big crowds in an NFL stadium. And that team has only a minor owner connection. NFL owners are definitely putting friendlies into their stadiums. Is that helping grow the sport in the U.S.? Maybe.
They are just following the path to some extra money. Whether or not the sport is helped along the way does not seem to be relevant to them. (Unless of course they happen to own a soccer team here).
I think it may have helped...some. But I wish they'd pour their money into the MLS and try harder to build up interest in our country.