THE NFL has announced a major broadcasting change to Thursday Night Football.
It will have a huge effect on paying fans heading to stadiums across the US.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has spoken of the changes to the flex period[/caption]
Amazon Prime Video’s Charissa Thompson on Thursday Night Football[/caption]
The league has decided to slash the notice time for flexing games on Amazon Prime Video’s broadcasts.
It will only need to give 21 days, or 3 weeks, prior to change the live TV game.
It could cause a major headache for fans who have pre-booked travel and accommodation for the 2025 NFL season.
Commissioner Roger Goodell was asked about the change by NBC’s Jim Cramer on Squawk.
He was questioned whether the league really values its most loyal supporters.
“That’s one of the things we really focus on,” Goodell said.
“We average two games a year that we flex.
“It’s very infrequent that we do it.
“That is the No. 1 concern: What is the impact on our fans?
“Last year was the first time we flexed a Thursday game.”
He added: “It worked very well.
“We had very little fan reaction.
“We monitor that very closely.
“But it also helps us work to make sure the best game is on for a broader fan base around the country, and around the world now.
NFL WEEK 1 SCHEDULE
(All times ET)
Thur 4 Sept
8.20 pm – Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Fri 5 Sept
8pm – Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers
Sun 7 Sept
1pm – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
1pm – Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
1pm – Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts
1pm – Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots
1pm – Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
1pm – Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets
1pm – New York Giants at Washington Commanders
1pm – Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars
4.05 pm – Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos
4.05 pm – San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
4.25 pm – Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
4.25 pm – Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams
8.20 pm – Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
Mon 8 Sept
8.15 pm – Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
“But that is a singular focus for us.
“We don’t take it lightly when we move a game. But it doesn’t happen very frequently.”
The NFL brought flexing in to remove games which would have low TV ratings.
It usually happens towards the end of the season, when teams have little to play for.
They use it to bring in playoff-chasing franchises or those with larger fanbases.
Those include the Dallas Cowboys and the Travis Kelce-led Kansas City Chiefs.
It keeps their broadcast partners happy, and makes them even more money.
