Good morning, all! No foolin’! It’s hump day!!!
NFL owners are meeting in Phoenix this week and the big push is on to add an 18th game to the regular season. Among the items I discuss in the podcast:
Why the owners want to add another game
How the addition of another game helps the Super Bowl
Why the NFLPA just might be open to an expanded schedule
How an extra game would expand the NFL’s international footprint
Here are some other thoughts on this April Fool’s Day:
If you do not think the NFL is serious about this 18th game, think again. The league is changing its “short-week” game policy, as explained here.
The UConn-Duke Elite Eight NCAA tournament game on Sunday proved to be a ratings hit, averaging 13.4M viewers on CBS, up 15 percent over last year’s Michigan St. - Auburn game in the same time frame. The audience peaked at 18.9M.
Tiger Woods says he is stepping away from the game, following his motor vehicle accident last week that led to a DUI arrest. Here is his announcement on X:
The Milwaukee Brewers are figuring out how to be a small market team. As they have done with previous prospects, the Brewers are working on a deal with prospect Cooper Pratt, who has never played an MLB game, worth $50.75M over eight years. If it comes to pass, the Brewers will once again have a top player under wraps for years to come.
More changes to the NFL television policy all in the name of making more money for the league. Those Monday Night Football doubleheaders - five per season - are being dropped. But do not think the league will return those games to Sunday. The NFL is looking to sell the games as a package. Of course!
By the way, expect another NFL tripleheader on Christmas Day. Netflix will carry the first two games and Fox the third game.
Did referee Roger Ayers’ interaction with UConn coach Dan Hurley at the end of Sunday’s win over Duke cost him a Final Four assignment? Here is the story.
That is going to do it for today’s newsletter. Thank you for subscribing and enjoy your April Fool’s Day!
DAN
