Posted on 04/26/2024 5:11:28 PM PDT by nickcarraway
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is mulling a future with 18 regular-season games, a Presidents Day weekend Super Bowl and a significant increase in international games.
Goodell, during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Friday, shared his long-term vision, one that involves numerous changes to the season's current format.
Specifically, Goodell said he would embrace a schedule featuring 18 regular-season games and two preseason contests, a significant shift from the current 17 regular-season and three preseason games that was implemented in 2021.
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"I think we're good at 17 now," Goodell said. "But, listen, we're looking at how we continue. I'm not a fan of the preseason." Then, gesturing toward a group of fans assembled nearby, Goodell said, "And I don't think these guys like it either." He continued: "The reality is, I'd rather replace a preseason game with a regular-season game any day. That's just picking quality. If we get to 18 and 2, that's not an unreasonable thing."
Adding an additional regular-season game could, theoretically, result in a second bye week being added, which would lengthen the regular season. But Goodell would welcome that, he said, as he envisions a Presidents Day weekend built around the Super Bowl on Sunday night.
"And then you have Monday off," Goodell said.
No steps toward any of the potential changes have been taken thus far. And it's important to note that changes to the length of the season would need to be collectively bargained with the NFL Players Association, as it was when the most recent labor deal was negotiated.
The move toward 17 games initially faced significant opposition from players, even after owners approved the deal. Prominent players such as New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers pushed back publicly. The CBA ultimately passed with a slim majority in player balloting, 51.5% voting in favor.
Goodell also spoke about a future increase to the number of games played internationally, saying he envisions as many as 16 regular-season games being played abroad, perhaps, within the next 10 years. The NFL is adding additional international markets, including Brazil this year and Spain next year.
As for whether a team or division will ever be based overseas, Goodell seemed less certain.
"Will a franchise ever happen or a division?" he said. "Maybe. I think that's beyond 10 years though."
They should go back to 16 games. There is a limit to what the human body can take. They should only have Thursday night games after a bye week.
Most of our presidents aren't really worth celebrating as it is so we might as well have something fun that weekend.
that’s been the goal forever- have the SB the Sunday of Presidents weekend
One vote against the Founding Fathers.
Makes sense. If the game goes long, East Coast viewers could be up well past their bedtime.
In the Navy, many commands have either that Monday off or a late start. COs know a lot of people will be drinking and partying and don't want DUIs.
The Founding Fathers never celebrated Presidents' Day. They'd have likely scoffed at the idea.
Anyways, the holiday used to be Washington's birthday, a worthy day of honor. But today? Do we celebrate Clinton, LBJ, and Obama as well as Washington?
I'd rather get drunk and watch the Super Bowl.
Players will earn another game check.
For Deshaun Watson, that’s an extra 2,705,000.
But if you are making $50M/year, you’ll get an extra check, but they will all be for less money. The only ones making more money will be the borderline guys on an off the waiver wires, and the practice squad. And there bodies aren’t being beat up in games.
President’s Day doesn’t celebrate modern presidents, it celebrates Washington mostly, and other early ones, although they throw Lincoln in the mix.
Don't forget to kneel!
It’s a bit of a side point, but I’d get rid of President’s Day altogether. We fought a war to get rid of a king. But now we treat presidents as if they were kings. Special salutes, special anthems (‘Hail to the Chief’), special days.
Bleh!
18 games would mean a couple of byes. That means the Super Bowl is played in late Feb. Just what the league wants.
MLB-all those pitchers injuries. 200 innings is the measure of excellence when 300 was the norm for excellence in the 60’s. Universal DH. Notre offense in both. It’s money my friends. Capitalism works-or does it?
Both leagues going the way of Rome or is it the country?
It’s still Washington’s Birthday. Congress has never changed it. Just the media and the advertisers drill the name “President’s Day” into our heads.
NFL is now not sport but a gambling syndicate bending the knee in fealty to the dollar, the euro and the fundamental transformation of America. Bah, humbug.
Five pitchers in 2023 hit the 200 IP mark.
Exactly. He doesn’t like George.
That’s pathetic.
I only agree with you on the Thursday game thing. Apart from that, it’s a game and it’s 100% voluntary.
/s
President’s Day is Raciss. It honors white slave owners! s/s/
We MUST honor MiLK Day. Martin (i.e. Michael) Luther King said so. /s/s/s/
It’s 100% voluntary, but it doesn’t help the game to be stupid. Why not change the rules so that teams only have two downs? Why not switch to a round ball? Why not make the QB wear a bag over his head?
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