NFL fans who want to see their favourite franchises in the coming season in the season-ending spurt are threatened by the super-GAU. Because games can now be postponed by a few days at short notice. It shows once again that money is more important to the NFL than the fans. A commentary.

The NFL game schedule was an institution for many years. Fans could organise their stadium trips, book necessary flights and hotels before the season. It was a dream come true for scheduling. Was!

Since 2006, the NFL has been able to postpone Sunday Night Games. But since this usually only involves a difference of a few hours, it doesn’t hit fans quite as hard as the new decision.

Because starting next season, the NFL can swap Thursday Night Games with Sunday games in weeks 13 to 17! With at least 28 days’ notice. Each team may only be affected once and a maximum of two games can be rescheduled within those five weeks.

Fans’ scheduling security is lost

Last night, 24 of the 32 team owners voted in favour – exactly the 75 per cent needed for a decision.

It’s a slap in the face to every NFL fan. Hotel booked, trip booked, flight booked, all planned. Then the postponement of several days – and the big dream of seeing an NFL game on site could be shattered!

It would be comparable to a Bundesliga game that was actually scheduled for Sunday afternoon but now takes place on Friday evening. Weekday games, even more so on Thursdays, are often a problem for supporters anyway.

Amazon benefits from postponements

And fans travelling from abroad who are even less flexible could be hit hard by the new rules in the worst case! And all because the NFL – and also the majority of the owners – is about profit.

More exciting games will be pushed to Thursday. Prime Video (rights holder of Thursday Night Games in the US) can increase viewer ratings. The NFL and the team owners make even more money – at the expense of the fans! The fact that 24 team owners are abandoning their loyal supporters is, unfortunately, an indictment.