Football Goodell wants NFL season to be 17 or 18 games - Page 3

Cornstock · 03-25-2009, 09:38 PM

Sorry if repost:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9...17-or-18-games

DANA POINT, Calif. (AP) - More games that count, perhaps as early as August 2011? That's exactly what NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants.

There are several hurdles before the league can expand its regular season from 16 to 17 or 18 games. Among them is reaching a new collective bargaining agreement with the players' union.

Still, the commissioner hopes to present a proposal to the owners in May after the matter was discussed at length this week at the owners meetings.

"It's possible that we could vote in May, but we want to have core discussions on this," Goodell said Wednesday. "Anytime you have change, there is some reluctance. But it's clear we don't need four preseason games anymore."

Goodell said the league has not seriously discussed the subject with its broadcast partners. He couldn't imagine them not being interested in more meaningful games.

"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," Goodell said. "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."

As for those players and their union, Goodell recognizes an expanded schedule will be part of CBA negotiations. Owners opted out of the current deal last year, and it expires after the 2010 schedule, which would be an uncapped season.

"Under the current agreement, additional regular-season games would not be covered," Goodell said. "I think our most important priority after we get done with our internal analysis is talking to our key partners, and that includes the players. I think we want to make sure that the right dialogue takes place before we make any final votes."

DeMaurice Smith, the NFLPA's incoming executive director, wants any decision that affects the players to happen collaboratively.

"His hope is that the concerns and interests of the players will be seriously considered," said George Atallah, a director at the public relations firm Qorvis Communications and a spokesman for Smith during his transition. "He was elected by the players to be their advocate on such issues and is more than ready to serve them."

Among the issues team owners must discuss is when the regular season would begin; how many bye weeks would be scheduled; how deep into February the playoffs and Super Bowl would go; and when the offseason programs — including the combine and the draft — would be held.

Plus, where would the extra games be played, particularly with 17 of them?

One possibility, an idea Goodell and senior vice president of sales and marketing Mark Waller first mentioned several years ago, would be 17 neutral-site games, including some aboard. That would enable the league to step up its efforts internationally, a particular goal of Goodell's.

"There's been some discussion about that," Goodell said. "That's been one of the appealing features of converting preseason games into regular-season games is it gives you more inventory, more games that you can take to neutral sites, either internationally or domestically. So that is a compelling feature."

Another option would be having one conference play nine home games during a season, and the other conference do so the next year.

An 18-game schedule, obviously, would eliminate such concerns. It also would mean dropping two preseason contests.

"Fans don't believe preseason games are up to our standards," Goodell said.

Clearly, neither does he.

I have no problem with dropping a preseason game or two. More chances to see the players. And promoting the league overseas can be nothing but a plus.

Sully · 03-26-2009, 07:22 AM

Good idea.

That's 2 more tickets a year I'll not be buying just to see go to waste.

Crashride · 03-26-2009, 07:33 AM

I dont care what anyone says, less pre season and more regular games IS a good thing.

CoMoChief · 03-26-2009, 07:53 AM

I think it's perfect the way it is considering the right amount of teams in each division. It plays out just perfectly.

4 home, 4 away games
Rotate each season on playing other divisions
4 Teams in each division

IMO it would screw everything up with adding another team, or adding more games in the reg season. If anything they should get rid of the last preseason game.

RippedmyFlesh · 03-26-2009, 08:01 AM

If the active roster size isn't increased the quality of play may go down.It seems being healthy is a big factor in getting a ring. All teams have injuries but super bowl winning teams often have less than others. With a longer season that factor gets even more important.
Playoff teams could be on cruise control for 2 or 3 games instead of 1 at the end of the season.

Pasta Little Brioni · 03-26-2009, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultra Peanut

I love the idea of one week -- say, Thanksgiving -- being full of neutral-site games. Not just in London or Mexico City or Berlin or Tokyo, but also in Los Angeles and other American cities without teams. Split the revenues evenly, and everyone wins.

That really is a good idea about the neutral site games. If they would go to 17, that would be the only fair solution. There are plenty of venues that would love to host an NFL game.

Molitoth · 03-26-2009, 08:31 AM

I think they should just keep it how it is, but not MAKE you purchase the preseason tickets as part of the season ticket package....

unothadeal · 03-26-2009, 10:48 AM

This will just give Thannon Tharpe an excuse as to why he's better than Gonzalez.

**The Franchise** · 03-26-2009, 10:52 AM

Sweet.....that means the price for NFL Sunday Ticket will go up some more.

03-25-2009, 09:38 PM
Cornstock Veteran Join Date: Oct 2008 Casino cash: $9986835	Goodell wants NFL season to be 17 or 18 games Sorry if repost: http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9...17-or-18-games DANA POINT, Calif. (AP) - More games that count, perhaps as early as August 2011? That's exactly what NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants. There are several hurdles before the league can expand its regular season from 16 to 17 or 18 games. Among them is reaching a new collective bargaining agreement with the players' union. Still, the commissioner hopes to present a proposal to the owners in May after the matter was discussed at length this week at the owners meetings. "It's possible that we could vote in May, but we want to have core discussions on this," Goodell said Wednesday. "Anytime you have change, there is some reluctance. But it's clear we don't need four preseason games anymore." Goodell said the league has not seriously discussed the subject with its broadcast partners. He couldn't imagine them not being interested in more meaningful games. "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," Goodell said. "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." As for those players and their union, Goodell recognizes an expanded schedule will be part of CBA negotiations. Owners opted out of the current deal last year, and it expires after the 2010 schedule, which would be an uncapped season. "Under the current agreement, additional regular-season games would not be covered," Goodell said. "I think our most important priority after we get done with our internal analysis is talking to our key partners, and that includes the players. I think we want to make sure that the right dialogue takes place before we make any final votes." DeMaurice Smith, the NFLPA's incoming executive director, wants any decision that affects the players to happen collaboratively. "His hope is that the concerns and interests of the players will be seriously considered," said George Atallah, a director at the public relations firm Qorvis Communications and a spokesman for Smith during his transition. "He was elected by the players to be their advocate on such issues and is more than ready to serve them." Among the issues team owners must discuss is when the regular season would begin; how many bye weeks would be scheduled; how deep into February the playoffs and Super Bowl would go; and when the offseason programs — including the combine and the draft — would be held. Plus, where would the extra games be played, particularly with 17 of them? One possibility, an idea Goodell and senior vice president of sales and marketing Mark Waller first mentioned several years ago, would be 17 neutral-site games, including some aboard. That would enable the league to step up its efforts internationally, a particular goal of Goodell's. "There's been some discussion about that," Goodell said. "That's been one of the appealing features of converting preseason games into regular-season games is it gives you more inventory, more games that you can take to neutral sites, either internationally or domestically. So that is a compelling feature." Another option would be having one conference play nine home games during a season, and the other conference do so the next year. An 18-game schedule, obviously, would eliminate such concerns. It also would mean dropping two preseason contests. "Fans don't believe preseason games are up to our standards," Goodell said. Clearly, neither does he. I have no problem with dropping a preseason game or two. More chances to see the players. And promoting the league overseas can be nothing but a plus.
Posts: 1,606

03-26-2009, 07:22 AM	#31
Sully It Goes On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lees Summit Casino cash: $10026331	Good idea. That's 2 more tickets a year I'll not be buying just to see go to waste. __________________ "And I don't wish that girl any bad luck," he said, "but I hope she gets hit with a car." - Tommy Lasorda
Posts: 18,295

03-26-2009, 07:33 AM	#32
Crashride We got DANCERS in tampa Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Casino cash: $10004900	I dont care what anyone says, less pre season and more regular games IS a good thing.
Posts: 1,964

03-26-2009, 07:53 AM	#33
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $7662254	I think it's perfect the way it is considering the right amount of teams in each division. It plays out just perfectly. 4 home, 4 away games Rotate each season on playing other divisions 4 Teams in each division IMO it would screw everything up with adding another team, or adding more games in the reg season. If anything they should get rid of the last preseason game.
Posts: 39,245

03-26-2009, 08:01 AM	#34
RippedmyFlesh Veteran Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New York Casino cash: $10005817	If the active roster size isn't increased the quality of play may go down.It seems being healthy is a big factor in getting a ring. All teams have injuries but super bowl winning teams often have less than others. With a longer season that factor gets even more important. Playoff teams could be on cruise control for 2 or 3 games instead of 1 at the end of the season.
Posts: 4,848

03-26-2009, 08:31 AM	#36
Molitoth Mahomes Fanboi Join Date: Apr 2004 Casino cash: $124969	I think they should just keep it how it is, but not MAKE you purchase the preseason tickets as part of the season ticket package....
Posts: 20,300

03-26-2009, 10:48 AM	#37
unothadeal HOF 20?? Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $3206120	This will just give Thannon Tharpe an excuse as to why he's better than Gonzalez.
Posts: 6,146

03-26-2009, 10:52 AM	#38
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $2055047	Sweet.....that means the price for NFL Sunday Ticket will go up some more.
Posts: 92,316