Is Change Looming for the NFL?

By: Aaron Coleman

With the NFL’s annual Fall Owners Meeting taking place this week, change may very well be on the horizon for America’s new national pastime.

With the NFL playoffs being such a huge money making endeavor for the fortunate few teams that make it each year, commissioner Roger Goodell is reportedly pulling for more teams to make the postseason, according to NFL.com. The change would have to wait for the 2015 season to take effect but it would provide the unrivaled excitement of the NFL’s annual March to the Super Bowl to two additional cities in each conference.

Goodell had this to say about the proposed idea: "If expanding the postseason would allow other teams to get into the dance, and they have the potential of going on and winning the Super Bowl," Goodell explained, "that's a good thing for fans, that a good thing competitively."

Now while some may argue about this possibly watering down the postseason with potentially inferior teams, one cannot deny the financial and morale-boosting aspect of a thrilling, improbable playoff run. Imagine how revitalized cities such as Oakland and Jacksonville would be after a magical run to the playoffs.

Possibly linked to the postseason change could be a one game reduction to the NFL preseason from four games to three according to NFL.com, which would most likely be welcomed by veteran players and season ticket holders alike. It is no secret that veterans do not enjoy playing “meaningless” games and one less exhibition would definitely excite the 30+ year olds in the league. However, the future Victor Cruz's and Alfred Morris' of the world may not be for this new proposal as one less preseason game will mean one less chance to prove yourself for late-round rookies, journeyman, and other underdog stories.

However, as a family member to numerous NFL season ticket holders, I know that most hate preseason home games with a passion because of having to pay full price to watch long shots play for three quarters. One less $150 ticket every season will be a welcomed sight for fans across the country.

But at the end of the day, whether you agree or not, it is clear that the winds of change are settling upon the NFL.
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Aaron J. Coleman is currently a finance major at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA minoring in Communication (with a focus in Public Relations). He was born and raised in Upper Marlboro, MD, a suburb  of Washington, DC. He is currently a supervisor for Drexel’s Intramural Sports program and covers the Chicago Bulls, New York Yankees, and Washington Redskins, which are his favorite teams, along with the Washington Capitals and Drexel Dragons, for sportsfansnews.com. Follow Aaron on Twitter @shutupCole.