The NFL Seeks Additional Revenue Sources
Kristian Wiles
April 7, 2009
Posted under National Football League
The NFL is by far the most financially viable professional sports league in the US. And in times like these when many others are cutting back, the NFL is looking to expand. Roger Goodell announced last week that he is hoping to increase the length of the regular season from 16 to 17 or 18 games. For anyone who is a fan of football, it’s hard not to like this move. However, there are a few things that need to be considered before Tom Brady and his crew attempt to go 18-0 in 2010.
First off, players have not often been accused of undervaluing their time on the field and the players union will certainly want to use these extra “workdays” as a negotiation point. If the NFL, its owners, and organizations are making more money from a longer season, the players will want some additional compensation too.
Beyond the personnel issues, the next question to consider is, when will these games be played? Not many of us in the spectator’s world would be upset if one or two preseason games went away. As much as I love watching three quarters of backups and wannabe backups vying for a shot to make the roster, I will take the first string squad playing for something meaningful in regular season games instead. If you want to see backup caliber play, tune in to a Detroit Lions game.
If the games don’t replace preseason contests then we have to assume that the season would be finished late in the month of February. I can think of a few teams in Green Bay, Chicago, New York and Boston that probably wouldn’t mind additional late season and playoff games in the cold weather; good luck Tampa Bay. A few other things to consider include television coverage, additional bye weeks, injuries and longevity, as well as how much more annoying the coverage of a 4-0 team in September will be.
Also on the table for teams to pocket some extra cash is a much less monumental move to include additional sponsor’s logos on practice jerseys. This one makes sense in the same way that opening a Super Walmart next your local neighborhood grocer makes sense. It’s surprising that it hasn’t happened sooner, the plan always makes money, and yet you feel dirty when you buy something there, especially if it’s a New York Giants practice jersey with a McDonalds logo on the sleeve.
This is a model that works in NASCAR and in Soccer leagues. Preliminary reports say that the logos would be similar to patches on the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl jerseys seen in years past. The idea is not a horrible one but it begs the question, “what’s next?” How soon will we see these logos jump from practice jerseys to game gear? Will the NFL allow beer or hard alcohol to do be advertised in this new form? Will Michael Vick be reinstated to play for a team with a PETCO logo? Too far?
