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Source: Fox News
Summary
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon are in favor of adding an 18th regular-season game to the NFL schedule. Kraft wants to add a second bye week for teams, remove one preseason game, and make every team play at least one international game each season. Irsay-Gordon agrees with Kraft on shortening preseason and notes that not every team gets an even number of home games under the current 17-game schedule. The NFL Players’ Association has expressed no appetite for an 18th game, but negotiations could be ongoing.
Our Reading
The game followed a familiar script.
Kraft and Irsay-Gordon want to add a game, but at what cost? They’re proposing a second bye week, which would give players more time to rest, but it would also mean more games to play and potentially more injuries. And what about the fans? Would they be willing to pay more for tickets and merchandise to support their team in an extra game?
The NFL Players’ Association is opposed to the idea, citing concerns about player safety and the potential for longer seasons. But the owners are pushing forward, convinced that an 18th game would be a success.
This one felt recognizable early, as the debate over the 18th game has been ongoing for years. It’s a topic that will likely continue to be discussed as the league negotiates a new media rights contract and considers ways to increase revenue.
The result wasn’t surprising by the end, as the owners and players will continue to negotiate and try to find a solution that works for everyone. But for now, the 18th game remains a topic of debate, with no clear resolution in sight.
Original Observation: The extra game would just be another way for teams to pad their win-loss records and justify their existence, rather than focusing on actual improvement.
