In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL has been considering a number of contingency plans for its regular season and postseason schedules, and now we have a couple of details on those contingencies.
Per John Ourand and Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal, the league and its broadcast partners are doing whatever possible to play a full 16-game slate and to play the Super Bowl in February. One way in which that could happen would be to have the regular season start on October 15, to eliminate bye weeks and Pro Bowl week, and to play the Super Bowl on February 28. Ourand and Fischer have more details on the logistics of such an arrangement, so their piece is worthy of a full read.
That is obviously less than ideal, but it may be the best the NFL can hope for. The schedule is due to be released on May 9, but there are some within the league office who are still wondering if any announcement should be made that soon (the worry is that a schedule release will look like a challenge to politicians like California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has previously expressed skepticism that professional sports can resume in 2020).
Regardless, the schedule will look like the usual 17-week, 16-game affair, but it will be designed to allow for a number of changes like those referenced above, and it will be released with an emphasis on the possible contingencies. And, while Tampa Bay Sports Commission Executive Director Rob Higgins remains focused on having his city host the Super Bowl on February 7 as scheduled, conversations about pushing it back one week have already taken place, and it seems as if every Sunday in February is on the table at this point.
Meanwhile, the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission has already announced that the 2021 NFL Draft will be held from April 29-May 1, 2021, in downtown Cleveland, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. Hopefully, that event will be able to move forward as planned.
I think the California governor has acted far more responsibly than Trump. If the NFL plan is to stick to games without attendance I don’t think the governor would care too much when the NFL releases the schedule. All plans related to the virus are tentative so lets proceed slowly, safely and avoid mistakes. We have to assume other viruses will emerge in the future so lets be sure to learn the valuable lessons this one is teaching us.
When it comes to sports coming back Trump has been more than resonable. He said at first have no fans, then come back with fans distance in every 3 seats. Newsom on the other hand just wants to fear monger and act like he has any clue whats going to happen six months from now.
Trump flip flops so often they should name a hamburger after him.
They did. It’s called the Impossible Burger.
Then what does that say about Biden, Clintion (the H) and Obama??????? This was a funny comment – WOW – learn something!
Do you believe other politicians historically flip flop? Or is this your first rodeo?
You just need to drink some disinfectant and run on down to the stadium.
As a season ticket holder in Indy, I can tell you fans every 3 seats means 2/3 of fans can’t come, so the highest 1/3 in seniority get to come, but some have to go up in the nosebleeds instead of club seats on the 50 yard line. So logistically you’d have to give them that option, or first right of refusal. Most would take them & if they didn’t want to go upstairs, sell them or scalp them. It’d take months to come up with the right 1/3. Then there’s refunds to give out & if you go from the $300 sears to the $100 seats there’s those refunds to consider. All in all I’d say it’ll never happen. It’s either all or nothing when it comes to fans. Oh, & if you’re wondering I’d probably make the top 1/3 but be asked to relocate upstairs. I’d probably do it but definitely want the difference in money refunded.
Rather than work that all out its much more likely they just do it from scratch. Maybe a raffle. If there is an obstical to that, its not going to be backlash from season ticket holders.
@dcahen. Good insight there and you didn’t even get to the logistical problems associated with washrooms, concessions, parking etc.
@Afk711: “When it comes to sports coming back Trump has been more than resonable. He said at first have no fans, then come back with fans distance in every 3 seats”
This is quite possibly the dumbest idea I’ve ever seen and is the polar opposite of ‘reasonable’ (the ‘fans in every 3 seats’ part). This is an idea that someone has when they’re thinking out loud before realizing what a logistic nightmare it would be and quickly discarding it. It’s peak stupidity and, again, entirely unreasonable.
Its really not. Ticket websites already have a program where you buy seats off a map. Buying tickets wont be a problem. As for the logistics of season ticket holders, you simply create a raffle or just eliminate that whole concept for one season. The biggest issue is making sure people actually stay distanced on concourses, restroom lines ect. Thats not going to take rocket science to solve. It may be a nightmare for you to solve, but if ancient humans can build a pyramid im pretty sure we can figure out a way to make this work.
Please factor in “fans after a few beers.” Would they even try to have 33% attendance at games and not sell beer?
Game, set, match.
Governor Nuisance is an idiot. And yes, I’m stuck here in his Progressive Utopia, otherwise known as The People’s Republic of Kalifornia.
We really shouldn’t be surprised that a Browns fan thinks staying alive and safe is a “nuisance”…lol.
@sufferfortribe: The state of California contributes, by a wide margin (about 65% more than the next closest–NY), the most in taxes to our federal government. It’s one of the least dependent states on federal aid. It’s GDP is one of the largest in the world.
Instead of whining like a baby over the state, pull yourself up by your bootstraps and leave. Maybe you’d be happier in one of the conservative utopias down south. Lots of red states there. Lots of federally dependent states living on California’s dime.
You have zero idea what you’re talking about. First, Kalifornia doesn’t contribute crap in taxes. That would be it’s citizens. Second, who did Gavin go to when we needed PPE, etc? Trump. Third, businesses have been exiting the state because of high taxes and burdensome regulations placed on them by Sacramento.
Being knowledgeable is not whining. Now, you complaining about it is, especially when you keep repeating the same old spiel time after time.
Finally, I am hoping to put this cesspool in my rear view mirror for good very soon…….just like many others.
He went to Trump because we, as Californians have been funding the Federal governments stockpile of PPE’s and they should have been there for us instead of being sent to China to pay off Trumps personal loans.
California’s citizens which is California does pay money to the federal government. You have to be a complete clown to say the people of California are somehow not California. What’s wrong with you? Do you even have a point?
Who cares if people and businesses leave California? We have more than enough. We could be a welfare state like the red states but we pay our bills. It’s a concept you should learn about.
Do you have any real arguments or are you limited to tears and excuses?
I prefer not to argue with idiots like you
Californians continually claims they have this amazing economy that ranks as 5th or 6th in the world, this is a common left wing talking point that has zero basis in reality. Ca has 3 economies. The silicon valley, Hollywood, and the Central valley. All 3 owe their success and popularity to the United States as a whole. If California wasn’t a state in the US it would be worthless, as there wouldn’t even be any fresh water, which is diverted from neighboring states to allow CA to grow food and drink water. Pelosi nephew, the worst governor ever, can’t be trusted, and even California democrats can’t stand him. But, he has a D in front of his name so you keep blindly following.
As a CA resident what I want to know is who is cutting Guv’s perfect coiffe and can that person do mine too…
A a California resident in Singapore you come to profootballrumors to get hair tips?
I’m wondering that also, Tony. My hair is scary looking, while all the politicians and news folks remain looking groomed to the max.
I was considering going to a ReOpen protest this Friday in San Bernardino and holding up a sign that says “Hey Gavin, can your barber squeeze me in?”
If you took one course in economics you would be so embarrassed you would never post anything on the internet again.
Rather it be a D or an R in front of their name, it’s the blind leading the blind
Are you too poor to leave?
Most of us are more than happy with how things are being handled and would be happy to help fund your move to Cleveland.
Arizona.
WELL SAID! Thank you!
Governor newsome is a moron. Those of stuck with the the worst governor in the history of california don’t agree with you at all. Don’t let your Trump derangement syndrome cloud reality. This virus is less deadly than the flu, all the models have been proven false, but governor pelosi nephew is a mouth piece and a hair cut and instead of reopening, which should of happened weeks ago, he’s doubled down on the lockdowns and extended them, and at this point all scientific evidence shows we don’t need to be locked down. The hoax is almost dead, but scarred clowns like you are perpetuating the new status quo. If they open stadiums tomorrow, I’ll be there.
Why would you lie and pimp for a pandemic?
Who cares if models are correct? This isn’t a game of predictions. You might pray for your parents and grandparents to die ASAP but some of us actually care about other people.
I don’t know if people like you are as ignorant as you sound or if you really are sick enough to attack your government and risk more lives for something as stupid as an in person sporting event.
Something really has to be wrong with you to have your priorities and information so messed up.
If you truly cared about other people you would be concerned about the 99.9% of people who are suffering because of the shutdown of our economy. Instead of the .03% of people who are in danger of dying from this virus.
You’re also extremely disingenuous. Over 50 million people a year die on this planet. How come you aren’t up in arms about all that? 16,000 people are murdered a year. Why don’t we social distance all the time to avoid murder? On average between 20,000 and 60,000 people a year die from the flu virus. Why aren’t we social distancing to stop that?
The truth is when this virus first appeared panic was inevitable because it was an unknown factor. But that panic took on a life of its own. And even after facts started coming out proving that it was nowhere near as dangerous as we originally thought a lot of people could not let go of that panic. For a number of reasons. Including the fact that they believe it hurts someone politically. So mull on that you dope. Your government is destroying your livelihood for political gain
“Your government is destroying your livelihood for political gain”
Governments, banks, corporations and their lobbyists do that all day, every day.
The great George Carlin: “it’s a big club, and you ain’t in it”
And please site your sources that say “facts started coming out proving that it’s nowhere near as dangerous as we originally thought”
Good comment Andy. Don’t you just love these people who can so casually place a dollar value on someone else’s life?
The California Governor has done nothing but let Counties decide what they each want to do. So we have LA people swamp Orange County beaches – how freaking stupid. I frankly do not care what the Governor cares this is AMERICA and we have FREEDOMS and we can act carefully in a crisis using our FREEDOM. You cannot take away our free will and the many Court cases that are in play will without question support that. So stop being a liberal non-thinker and be an AMERICAN – and AMERICANS “never” waive the white flag. Glad you were not there when Pearl Harbor was attacked.
“We can act carefully in a crisis using our FREEDOM”
Tell that to the countless people who come into the grocery store i work at that don’t care for your distance or guidelines set in place. They do not act carefully. Using your brains and having a conscience can works a little better than your freedom.
@mach Nice bit on chest thumping but you apparently don’t have a clue what earned you your precious FREEDOMS. It was courageous and unselfish men and women making personal sacrifices for the betterment of others. The same thing intelligent and caring people are advocating we do in this crisis.
I know I’m going to sound Petty but I need my NFL to start on normal time and normal time and have a completely normal season
You very well may have to prepare for a disastrous second half of 2020 then…
@bumpy. When this is all over people are going to take stock of who set their personal needs aside for the betterment of others and who didn’t. Which group we decide to be a part of is going to mark us for a long time. Remember that.
It absolutely will mark us for a long time.
Wise words crosseyed…..
The betterment of others? You are just a propganda mouthpiece aren’t you? This is America, if you’re scared stay home, and let the rest of us keep being Americans and live our lives. What a pathetic European mindest to think that the government and other people are more important than you. Sad.
“…let the rest of us keep being Americans and live our lives.”
Paraphrased? “F**k you, I’m all that is important.”
Exactly. He’s the type of guy that goes first at a 4 way stop no matter who got there first.
@Dodgethis. I feel sorry for you if you think concern for the well being of others is “propaganda”. The mindset has nothing at all to do with geography or politics. We all share a common bond of being human beings and this planet is our only home. If we don’t work together to make the human condition better…who will?
You’re using “Americans” where you should be using “Psychopaths”
The government and society are far more important than you are. Who really cares about you except you and who will care that you existed when you’re gone?
Thankfully Society and government will be here when you’re gone so the next generation can enjoy the roads, schools and hospitals you’ve enjoyed since the day you were born. If people like you don’t screw it up too badly they’ll even be able to enjoy democracy and some other freedoms.
Nothing worse than that tough guy “this is America!” talk.
It’s actually laughable when you realize that an Italian discovered the country and almost everyone in America has a foreign heritage.
We should also question how “tough” a guy is when he cries like a little girl because he has to stay inside for a month. Actually, Anne Frank was about 100x tougher than this dude.
If the NFL started Oct 15 and went to end of Feb that would be great. Football is a cold weather sport anyway. We don’t need 2 weeks between the championship and Super Bowl. I do think the bye week during the regular season is needed however.
Agreed about bye weeks. Very beneficial to the team and players
The idea of having teams travel around the country for games without fans just doesn’t make any sense at all.
They should just sequester the entire league in Vegas or somewhere with sufficient facilities and play the entire season in one place.
This is the perfect excuse to produce a made for TV season when you’re going to have historically high ratings to offset the loss at the gate.