Ravens Wide Receiver Donte Stallworth posted this on Twitter today:
An 18 game season I feel, would be detrimental to players safety. Fans already pay enough hard earned money to root for their teams as it is
It was interesting for sure to see him throw in there the fan point of view. First time I have seen a player (or any NFL representative) bring that up to this point.
The 16 vs. 18 game schedule is a big conflict that has taken the back burner as the NFL deals with its labor disputes. While it may not be of utmost importance to league officials at this time, it can be a key concept to players, coaches, and fans while preparing the the [hopefully] 2011 season and beyond.
The thought of doing an 18 game schedule would most likely decrease the number of preseason games to 2, which, in theory, still leaves each team with 20 games. The big issue is that the value of preseason games is so low, and very often a time for rookies and bench players to fight to earn backup spots, so the level of fierceness and competition is at a lull during that time. With that, it would mean 2 of the games would basically be converted into more physical, meaningful contests.
Do you think the NFL should implement an 18 game schedule or keep it at 16 regular season games per season?
Does Donte know the fans are already paying their "hard earned money" for 10 games, anyway?
MGW
Don't tell me you are for an 18 game schedule.
Mark – no, I'm NOT for the 18 game schedule.
But Donte's comment about fans spending their "hard earned money" on 18 games is just stupid. Pre-season games are priced at regular season prices NOW. As you know, if you buy season tickets you buy tickets to 10 games at the regular season price, 2 of which are pre-season games. If they go to this 18 game schedule, my understanding is that 2 pre-season games would be eliminated adding on regular season game.
Bottom line, 18 games or 16 games, a season ticket holder is still buying 10 tickets at full price. No savings to any fan. His comment is dumb.
18 games is crazy. The NFL better get this right. They have a cash cow right now, but things can cange real quick. Quite honestly, I'm growing tired of their arrogance as are many fans.
I don't even bother paying attention to these players and their comments. I should've read them.
Here's how I look at it. When I get my season tickets I look at it like 8 games even though the face value on the pre season ticket says the same as a regular ticket. The truth is, the preseason ticket is worthless.
I did i quick "poll" of my own last week. About 30 people I know who own a total of 96 PSLs. All but 2 people are staunchly against an 18 game season. That's 92 of the 96 PSLs. The NFL thought the fans would eat up the 18 game schedule. They whiffed big time on that.
It's all a bunch of rhetoric just like it always is with labor issues.