Commissioner Wants Longer Season

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wants a longer regular season. And he’s ready to propose a 17 or 18 game schedule to team owners in May that could take effect as soon as 2011. Of course, there are several obstacles to hurdle, like a new collective bargaining agreement with the players’ union. But, the Commissioner discussed the possibility this week at the NFL Annual Meeting:

“It’s possible that we could vote in May, but we want to have core discussions on this. Anytime you have change, there is some reluctance. But it’s clear we don’t need four preseason games anymore. I think the quality of NFL programming, that every one of our network partners would say, if they have the chance to have more regular-season programming, they’d be interested in it. A key point is the fans also recognize players they want to see are not in those preseason games; that’s why they are not attractive. They want to see those players play.”

I completely agree with reducing the preseason. There is no need for four preseason games and the majority of fans don’t want to spend their money watching a lot of players who won’t even make the team anyway. That’s why you end up with half empty stadiums. But extending the regular season by one or two games doesn’t make any sense to me, either. Sure, from a financial perspective it makes more money for the league and the networks who broadcast the games. But in considering the players’ health, I don’t like it. Have you seen an injury report late in a 16-game season? I don’t think the players can afford one or two more regular season games.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom