Football
AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack
New York Giants owner John Mara is “adamantly opposed” to a proposal that would allow teams to be flexed into Thursday Night Football games from Weeks 14-17 of the regular season.
Mara’s quotes came from the owners’ meetings in Phoenix.
Dan Duggan @DDuggan21
John Mara said that’s “adamantly opposed” to the proposal to flex games to Thursday night. “Flexible scheduling, as it is, is really inconsiderate to our season-ticket holders and to people who fill our stadiums every week,” Mara said.
Dan Duggan @DDuggan21
Mara said today’s vote was close. He expects the proposal to be re-visited at the next league meetings in May. “To flex a game back to Thursday night, to me, is just abusive and I’m adamantly opposed to it,” Mara said.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell provided this response, in part: “There isn’t anyone in that room who don’t put the fans first. Obviously, providing the best matchups for fans is part of what we do.”
Goodell continued:
Brooke Pryor @bepryor
Roger Goodell on TNF flex (tabled until May), two TNF games per season (approved): “I don’t think we are putting Amazon over players’ interests.”
League owners have already approved a change that now allows NFL teams to play up to two Thursday Night Football games per season, per NFL executive vice president and chief media and business officer Brian Rolapp:
Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero
For clarity, the change would allow a team to play on TNF *on a short week* twice in a season. So doesn’t include the Week 1 opener, a TNF game after a Thanksgiving game, etc.
Per Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports, the league could move Sunday afternoon games to Thursday nights from Weeks 14-17 if teams get 15 days’ notice.
As part of the NFL’s media rights deal in 2021, Amazon is paying $1 billion per year in an 11-year package for the exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football. The deal began in 2022 and will run through 2032. They also now have exclusive rights to a Black Friday game, beginning this season.
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