Some NFL fans may be doubling as travel consultants this fall after the league approved flex scheduling for “Thursday Night Football.”
At this week’s meetings, owners greenlit a trial plan allowing Thursday games from Week 13 on to be flexed to Sunday and vice versa with 28 days notice. Fans who purchase tickets and make travel arrangements could be forced to change their plans a month in advance.
The measure, which reportedly passed on a 24-8 vote despite opposition from some owners, is largely being touted as a win for Amazon, which received a more attractive Thursday night schedule this coming season in addition to the first-ever NFL game on Black Friday.
Amazon hasn’t not yet publicly commented on the decision, but one top executive at another NFL media partner isn’t sure the flexing parameters will be of much use to the streamer, given the four weeks’ notice required.
“If you can tell after Week 10 which games are going to be dogs in Week 15, more power to you,” Fox Sports Exec VP, Head of Strategy and Analytics Mike Mulvihill tweeted. “Better yet, send me your résumé.”
International Delight
The NFL also beefed up its international marketing rights at the owners meetings, with new additions including rights for the Saints in France, Steelers and Jaguars in Ireland and North Ireland, and the Falcons in Germany.
Twenty-one clubs will now participate in the program in 2023 across 14 international markets, up from 19 participating clubs across 10 markets last year.
