Roger Goodell’s controversial push for Thursday night flexibility: What’s next?

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has always had a knack for making waves, and this time it’s about making a significant change to the NFL schedule.

His last proposed introductory “Thursday Night Flexing” nearly passed in March, by a narrow two-vote margin. However, with a vote expected this week, it appears Goodell believes he has convinced two of the abstentions or dissenting votes.

The concept of Thursday Night Flexing consists of sliding games from Thursday to Sunday, and vice versa, at the end of the season. The reason behind this is presumably to provide the league with more programming flexibility, and possibly to optimize viewership by rescheduling games with greater playoff implications or audience appeal.

Despite the support of 22 teams, the proposal drew substantial criticism, including from New York Giants co-owner John Mara. He called the idea “abusive” for fans, especially those who plan and pay to go to games expecting them to happen on the days scheduled.

It highlights the difficulties of fans having to reschedule their travel plans due to a sudden change of a game from Sunday to Thursday, or vice versa.

Details on how often this power will be used, the notice that will be given to teams and fans, and the maximum number of games that can be flexed in a season, are still unknown. This uncertainty adds to the concerns of teams, players and fans.

Another aspect of the debate revolves around timing. If the measure is not to be used before 2024, why force the vote now? Is it to give the teams enough time to adjust their strategies, or is it a show of power from the league office?

An interesting pattern emerged, with most teams that opposed Thursday Night Flexing ending up with multiple games scheduled for Sunday and then the following Thursday in the 2023 schedule. Rather, it’s a subtle message to teams that have resisted this proposed change.

The idea that there is a price to pay for resisting the idea of ​​NFL progress could potentially influence some of the resisters. However, it could also create a climate of tension and unease among those who feel armed to accept changes with which they fundamentally disagree.

Despite the resistance, it seems likely that Goodell’s proposal will eventually be accepted. As we’ve seen in the past, he has a reputation for pushing forward desired change, often leaving a trail of controversy in his path.

While there’s no denying that a flexible schedule could benefit the NFL in terms of viewership and profits, it’s critical to consider the impact on fans. They are, after all, the lifeblood of the sport.

Will the NFL be able to balance progress while preserving the game day experience for fans? The upcoming vote will surely set the tone for this balance.