I realize it's not just NFL cities, and there are some towns that are 4G without any pro sports. Rochester, NY for one.
And since the NFL app is a VZW thing, and they did focus on most NFL towns, and they are pumping the 4G and the Thunderbolt, it would make sense for the NFL app to work on the 4G phone, and VZW should plan ahead and say to the developer, make this work by such and such a date.
I have it on another phone, and I live in a non NFL town, and use it to keep up with my team. It just makes sense to make the NFL app work on the 4G phone, as most of the NFL sits in 4G coverage. It just makes sense.
But like most giant companies, like the one I work for, just don't think of things like that. They think they can advertise their way into your living room, and then you deal with the quirks that the rep never tells you about.
By the way, the app doesn't shut off just because the season is not here.