"Flex" Schedule a Positive Move for NFL
The new flex scheduling will begin in week 10 of the 2006 season, and run throughout the rest of the season, with the exception of week 16 because of the holiday weekend. The move not only ensures the broadcast of games involved in the playoff run, it also makes it possible for teams that come out of nowhere to play in the spotlight. In the past, teams expected to be bottom feeders were shut out of these games because the guys that make up the schedule don't know which team(s) will make the leap. Now they don't have to.
The 2006 NFL schedule will list start times for all Sunday games during the “flex” weeks as 1:00 PM ET, except for games played in the Mountain or Pacific Time zones, which will be listed at 4:05 PM ET or 4:15 PM ET. The league will announce the games that are being moved to prime time at least 12 days in advance, and only Sunday games will be effected. CBS and Fox will be able to protect five games during the seven weeks of flexible scheduling, but not more than one game per week.
This new system means we won't see a Detroit vs. Green Bay-type of contest like we saw in week 14 last year, when both teams were clearly out of the playoff race. It's a great move that should be considered for expansion to Monday Night Football as well.
Comments
Its a great p[lan for TV but what about fans that buy tickets for a day game and make travel plans based on the stated times and than the game is moved and they have train or plane tickets that would not allow them to see the changed game. It also allows more time for unruley fans to get DRUNK
It sucks for season ticket holders who plan around a set schedule, after spending thousands of dollars on tickets!!!!!
The Flex Schedule SUCKS!!! Just set the Schedule and live with it.
Ticket holders will have at least 12 days to plan their travel….I found this Q and A on the Chiefs website.
Q. What if this affects the travel plans of fans?
A. Fans and ticket holders must be aware that NFL games in flex weeks are subject to change 12 days in advance (6 days in Week 17) and should plan accordingly.
Q. How will this information be communicated to ticket holders?
A. Clubs will advise season ticket holders by mail and/or e-mail, so it’s imperative to have proper contact information. The change(s) also will be communicated via print, radio and television media as well as posted on team and NFL websites.
seems to me like NBC paid off some NFL high-ups. they basically get to steal top notch games from CBS and FOX. i hope the NFL does away with this next year. as was said by someone else “just pick a schedule and stick with it”
Obviously, the fans were not a consideration in this decision….It is certainly a decision that only benefits the television networks which only care about the $$$$. The home fans are being punished and we are the ones that pay the big bucks to support our home teams. Make a schedule and STICK TO IT! The beginning of the season all teams are equal and TV ratings need to take the same risks that all team are subject to during the season. STOP this insane FLEX scheduling and allow the home FANS to plan and enjoy the game because FLEX scheduling has taken the fun out of going to games!
are you whiners kidding me? i am a season ticket holder of many many years. the thought that it has “taken the fun out of going to games” is idiotic.if a few hour time change takes all the fun out of something , then you really never had the passion for it anyway.
I am a long time season ticket holder as well, but i live 4 hours away from “my” team. It is very important for me to arrange my work schedule far in advance so i can make it to these games, 12 days is not enough time for me and 6 days for the last game is way out of line.
This really sucks. I have tickets to the Bears Packers game on New Years Eve. The game was to be at noon. I have Cadillac Club seats that cost me $215 each and I had planned a New Years party at my house that evening. Now I either have to tell the people I have invited that they have no place to go on New Years or I have to forfeit the $430. The rule in this case they say was only 6 days notice. How nice of them.
And one more thing. Who concludes that 7:15pm on a Sunday is Prime Time. I would say that Noon is prime time in a football fan’s world. I’m usually too drunk to even watch football by 7:15 from the Noon and 3pm games.
For those who were all in favor of Flex Scheduling…how does this New Year’s Eve game affect you now? If you do not have much to do then maybe this insane schedule change doesn’t effect you!
We also have invested money into New Year’s Eve plans and now had to make a choice. This is very inconsiderate for the fans that have supported the team all year long. I think the network and the NFL need to look outside their little box and start to consider the effect these changes are having on not just the fans BUT now the Chicago Police Department and other public service departments that will need to beef-up for all the extra people who will be in the city because it is New Year’s Eve. What about the businesses that have football packages for the afternoon game and also have NYE packages…who looses there? This is one of the most inconsiderate decision made by a major network and the NFL.
to the nfl and to the executives at nbc thanks for ruining what could have been the greatest new year in chicago for a long time.i guess we the fans that keep you in your jobs are not worth any consideration!rest assured that i will never frogive or forget this slap in the face i doubt that i am alone either.i hope your ratings from now on equal your combined iq`s and your new year brings you new jobs where your decisions will not involve dealing humans,a farm comes to mind because you all can sure shovel it
thanks for nothing
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