The NFL’s Never-Ending Pursuit of Profit: Is an 18-Game Schedule Inevitable?
The National Football League is a multi-billion dollar industry, and its owners are always looking for ways to increase revenue. One way to do this is by expanding the regular season from 17 to 18 games. While this may seem like a great idea to the owners, it raises concerns about player safety and the overall quality of the game.
According to a report by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) is already bracing for the owners to propose an 18-game schedule. This is not surprising, given the NFL’s history of prioritizing profits over player well-being. However, what is interesting is that the NFLPA may not put up as much of a fight as expected.
Young players may be fine with an 18-game schedule, but what about the veterans?
It seems that many young players are open to the idea of an 18-game schedule, as long as they receive a larger share of the revenue. This is understandable, given the massive amounts of money involved in the NFL. However, older players may not be as enthusiastic about the idea, given the toll that an extra game can take on their bodies.
As Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly, a member of the NFLPA’s executive committee, pointed out, each player has their own line in the sand when it comes to what they are willing to accept. Some may be willing to play an extra game for a larger paycheck, while others may be more concerned about the long-term effects on their health.
“I think it’s up to every player to decide,” Kelly said. “If they said, ‘Hey, you guys get 70 percent of revenue and we’ll take 30 as owners,’ a lot of guys would sign up for that if you make $100 million playing quarterback.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has a tough decision to make
The debate over an 18-game schedule ultimately comes down to two things: player safety and money. While the NFL claims to care about player safety, it is clear that the bottom line is the driving force behind this proposal. As Steelers offensive lineman James Daniels pointed out, if the NFL were truly concerned about player safety, they would be looking for ways to reduce the number of games, not increase it.
The NFL is a multi-billion dollar industry, but at what cost to the players?
In the end, it will be up to the NFLPA and the owners to come to an agreement on the schedule. However, one thing is clear: the NFL’s pursuit of profit will continue to drive decision-making, even if it means putting the health and well-being of its players at risk.
The NFL logo is one of the most recognizable symbols in sports
