The NFL wants to increase its regular season to 18 games. More playoff teams are possible. A Super Bowl in London is rumored. They’re all interesting ideas.
But a spring game?
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said several owners are proposing spring games like colleges that are either intrasquad scrimmages or nearby rivals meeting. Whenever owners talk about an idea, it’s not far away.
Several major colleges draw more than 75,000 to their intrasquad scrimmages. There’s no doubt 75,000 would pay to watch the Redskins scrimmage themselves in May at FedEx Field. Add another 10,000 should they play the Baltimore Ravens. After all, more than 20,000 watched a scrimmage at Redskins Park in August. Give fans a few months without football and a spring game could rival the 100,000 in the Preakness infield.
But, there are a few concerns.
There is no way veterans will play an offseason game for pennies. They already receive only $1,100 during preseason games versus at least $30,000 for regular-season contests. You think Clinton Portis will suit up in May?
Fans will only see rookies and reserves, which is fine if the cost isn’t regular-season prices. Make it $20 and free parking and you have a deal. The money is in concessions and a sure TV deal anyway. If teams charge full price and include it in ticket packages, then it’s flat out gouging.
If the NFL really wants to be generous, revenues should be donated to local charities. Miami did it in 1995 when charging $10 for a rookie scrimmage versus Washington. Spring games can be fundraisers for colleges so let the NFL do so, too.
The money aside, spring games would be fun to watch. A chance to see the rookies only weeks after the draft, which might move up a couple weeks to give teams a minicamp or two before the game. Rosters could be increased to 90 players, which coaches want anyway.
Meanwhile, momentum grows for an 18-game regular season with two less preseason contests. Finally, the NFL is making sense. Preseason games are major money-makers for owners, but a waste for fans. Two are plenty. Fans would like a 48-game schedule with playoffs if it were possible. You’d need 100-man rosters to survive injuries, though. Maybe they should just start a spring league instead.
Pittsburgh owner Dan Rooney opposes expanding the number of playoff teams. It would be nice to grow from six to eight per conference, but parity would likely send a 7-9 team to the postseason regularly.
As for past talk of a London Super Bowl — no way. The game is worth more than $50 million to cities. Why send money abroad? Also, the game would be shown early afternoon in the eastern U.S. and late morning on the West Coast even if starting at 7 p.m. in Europe. The early timetable would diminish needed revenues for bars and restaurants from the unofficial winter holiday.
More football is always a great idea. Just remember the fans aren’t ATMs.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
