May 10, 200719 yr NFL looking closely at expanding to 17 games with international flavor NEW YORK (AP) -- Americans always seem to want more pro football. Yet it's the folks abroad who might be getting an extra taste of the NFL in the future. Although talks are extremely preliminary, the NFL is investigating adding a 17th regular-season game and playing it outside the United States. The extra game would take the place of one in the preseason, allowing every team to play once abroad without sacrificing a home match. This year, the Dolphins gave up a home date in Miami to play the New York Giants at Wembley Stadium in London. Two years ago, the Arizona Cardinals played a home game in Mexico City against the San Francisco 49ers. "It is preliminary, but we certainly are putting resources into pulling that together," said Mark Waller, NFL senior vice president, international. "For now, we have the one game per season or two per season outside of the U.S. But we know it can be tough on home fans since we're taking a game away. "So we have asked how do we create more inventory without taking games away from fans? That idea came up in internal conversations and we now have an international committee of owners and we talked it through with them, and they asked us to do some groundwork." While the 17th game won't get off the ground next season, for sure, it could become a staple of the NFL's schedule by 2009 or 2010. But it would present some significant logistical and scheduling challenges. For one, if there is another week to the regular season, does that mean openers played on Labor Day weekend, something the NFL has avoided in recent years? Or does it mean pushing the Super Bowl back a week to the second Sunday in February? Or leaving the title game where it is and eliminating the week off between conference championships and the Super Bowl? "I don't see a huge downside to a week later. The strength of the idea warrants bringing it up for discussion," Waller said. Good or bad idea?? Like or dislike??
May 10, 200719 yr Every player in the league is wanting that Amsterdam game... :lol: Imagine the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Oakland Raiders, live from the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam. Unfortunately, only about fifteen players per side showed up to the game; all others are presumed high.
May 10, 200719 yr Imagine the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Oakland Raiders, live from the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam. Unfortunately, only about fifteen players per side showed up to the game; all others are presumed high. The 30 that weren't stoned arrived late after one last visit to the Red Light District... :jump:
May 10, 200719 yr How about reduce the schedule to 15 games and play one outside the US. Fans still get an equal number of home games (7 at home, 7 away) and the NFL season doesn't creep closer to seemingly neverending ala the NBA, MLB, NHL and NASCAR. If they do add a 17th game, start on labor day weekend or do away with the bye week. If you move the Super Bowl back another week you directly compete with NASCAR's Super Bowl, the Daytona 500 and Speed Week leading up to it.
May 10, 200719 yr Bad Idea! Imo they play too many games as it is. I like pro football, just think that the season is too long and there is one round too many of the playoffs. JMo and I know that most will disagree and I understand that.
May 10, 200719 yr Bad Idea! Imo they play too many games as it is. I like pro football, just think that the season is too long and there is one round too many of the playoffs. JMo and I know that most will disagree and I understand that. We actually pretty much agree with this one...:thumb:
May 10, 200719 yr Author I think it is fine just how it is but if they do add a game make the season start a week earlier. If you guys think the NFL plays to many games how are you baseball fans. The MLB season it at least 30 games to long.
May 10, 200719 yr 4 1/2 months of 1 game a week in the regular season is too long? The NCAA hoops season is just as long. MLB is longer. NBA is longer. NHL is longer. Golf is longer. Tennis is longer. Nascar is longer. Weak argument...
May 10, 200719 yr I think it is fine just how it is but if they do add a game make the season start a week earlier. If you guys think the NFL plays to many games how are you baseball fans. The MLB season it at least 30 games to long. I agree MLB's season is WAAAAAAYYY too long...so is NHL and NBA. Both of those sports should finish their season in April as far as I'm concerned. Playoff hockey and Basketball in June is ridiculous...as is November baseball.
May 10, 200719 yr I said all major sports leagues are over scheduled...how is that weak? They make MILLIONS upon MILLIONS of dollars per year. I'd rather they actually entertained more than 4 of those months...
May 10, 200719 yr My sources suggest that this idea was brought to the table by the '72 Dolphins. Wouldn't doubt it at all...:lol:
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