Roger, We Have A Problem!!

The NFL has floated the idea to the media about changing the NFL Draft (the best weekend of the off-season) from a weekend event back to a work week/Saturday event. My initial thought is what a horrible idea!! I remember watching my first draft seeing the Patriots select Irving Fryar back when I was only 12 years old (having a dentist appointment later that morning, my parents let me stay home until I went to the appointment), and I was so upset to have to go back to school and miss the rest of the draft. I also remember the excitement I felt when I heard they wised up and made it a weekend event so those of us draftniks did not have to cut school or work to see what our teams where getting in the draft.

Now, the NFL is reversing gears again and is working their best to make NFL fans call in sick or cut school in order to watch the Annual Selection Meeting. The reported proposal by the league is to make the first round a primetime event on Thursday, rounds two and three on Friday and the remaining rounds on Saturday. Bad idea!!! You want to see ratings and attendance drop, then make this switch because it will show fans that their interests and free time are not being considered. Once you start forgetting your fans you’ll end up like Major League Baseball. My proposal is for a slight change that will keep the fans happy, create the media circus that the draft has become and keep the rating as strong as ever. Instead of Thursday, Friday and Saturday simply move it back one day. Have the first round as a primetime event on Friday with the start time of 8PM EST (allows most of the west coast fans time to make it home to watch, and just imagine the crowds at the sports bars for it around the country). Rounds two and three on Saturday, starting at 3 PM EST and then Sunday finish up rounds four, five, six and seven with events kicking off that day at 10 AM. This way it’s a true football weekend for those of us starving for football news this time of year, and we still get to enjoy without having to call off sick from work or school.



Let me know your thoughts.