The NFL demands that it be in basic digital service, because of the increased exposure i.e., more ad revenue for them. T-W is unwilling to raise rates for it's total subscriber base, knowing full well that that many of their customers don't give a rat's fanny about NFL football.
Don't blame T-W, although you could toss some blame at NFL fans who want others to subsidize our yucks. There is nothing wrong with a pay channel - folks purchase such all the time - movie channels, for example.
Folks get satellite tv, pay for NFL Network. Seems to me that the same should work with T-W...those that want it, pay for it. But it is the NFL that nixes it. Right?