[Bluehorseshoe]

By Andrew MarchandApril 30, 2020 | 1:22pm


Saturdays could be for the NFL this fall, if college football doesn’t play, The Post has learned.

With the NFL expected to release its schedule soon, its officials have discussed giving the league some flexibility to move games to Saturdays during the season if college football postpones its entire season, according to sources.

The NFL has had preliminary discussions with its broadcast partners about the idea. An NFL spokesman declined comment.

While the majority of the week’s schedule would remain on Sundays, along with the primetime Monday and Thursday slates, some stand-alone games could be reset for Saturdays.

The NFL will only consider the move if there is no college football. It is still unclear if college football will be played this fall because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The college game has more uncontrollable variables than the NFL starting with the fact that the players aren’t true professionals. If students aren’t on campus in the fall, it is hard to see how football players could be asked to compete. Crowd attendance is also more important for the majority of college programs’ bottom lines than it is to the NFL.

While the NFL is much better positioned to deal with the pandemic as a professional league, it is still trying to figure out how it would put on its games. That is NFL executives’ first concern.

But the Saturday plan makes a lot of sense as it would create an open TV window for the NFL. The NFL already schedules Saturday games after the college regular season concludes in December.




The NFL could go to more extremes if Saturday is freed up for its whole season. It could have a triple-header with games at 1 p.m., 4:30 and 8, or just have one Saturday game of the week.



If college suspends play in the fall, there may be an open path for the NFL to figure out Saturdays. For example, if the NFL plays its season without fans in the stadiums, then the idea of inconveniencing attendees by shifting games from Sunday to Saturday would be a non-factor.

The rest between games for players would only be shifted by one day, though,the league would have to make sure it doesn’t have issues with the Thursday and Monday short weeks.

By the record numbers for the NFL draft telecasts, there will be a hunger for football when it is played again. If Saturdays are open, the NFL could fill the void and it likely could charge its partners, like NBC, CBS, Fox and ESPN, more to broadcast these games. The networks would have the available slots open with college not playing.

It is an interesting idea that won’t be resolved when the schedule is announced by May 9, but the NFL likely will give itself some flexibility.

[johnnyvegas13]

If college gets cancelled NFL will flex a gm to every time slot at least for Saturday

[Bluehorseshoe]

I wonder if they could have whoever is playing on Thursday, have already played on the previous Saturday. Give them one extra day to recoup.

[johnnyvegas13]

I wonder if they could have whoever is playing on Thursday, have already played on the previous Saturday. Give them one extra day to recoup.

I like the way u think

Although won't happen

[SBR_Guest_Pro]

NFL trying to follow the XFL's style... Look at them

[DrunkHorseplayer]

If (a huge if) they play, the NFL should play three games every day from Thursday to Monday.

[big joe 1212]

If (a huge if) they play, the NFL should play three games every day from Thursday to Monday.

3 games on a Thursday and Friday?

some people have jobs

[BriGuy]

I've been talking about this for a month now.... if college goes to spring, the NFL will play on Saturday's all season long. And then guess what? College will play on Sunday's all season long.

[johnnyvegas13]

I've been talking about this for a month now.... if college goes to spring, the NFL will play on Saturday's all season long. And then guess what? College will play on Sunday's all season long.

I dunno

That disrupts natural order

Don't forget Friday high school

[thetrinity]

This is gonna happen. 3 games saturday

[clockwise1965]

It's a done deal. There will be no college football.

[PatrickSarni]

Obviously Clockwise isn't very bright or paying attention. Read the chatter today from colleges. They want to play in the fall. I have a very good friend who is head of one of the premiere college bowl games. He just texted me it's 70/30 they play in the fall.

[pologq]

I wonder if they could have whoever is playing on Thursday, have already played on the previous Saturday. Give them one extra day to recoup.

great idea but too logical. goodell doesn't like logic.

[jjgold]

Betting volume would be enormous all weekend

Great idea

If no college football that is FLAT OUT PUSSY

[johnnyvegas13]

This would really break the games up nicely

[newguy]

Would also allow owners to recoup money lost by non-attendance at games. Makes sense.

[johnnyvegas13]

Would also allow owners to recoup money lost by non-attendance at games. Makes sense.

I thought they would have fans at these NFL gms ?

[BriGuy]

I dunno

That disrupts natural order

Don't forget Friday high school

My friend, the natural order has already been disrupted. And how does NFL on Saturday impact Friday night HS football?

[Grits n' Gravy]

It's a done deal. There will be no college football.

If that is the case I expect to see a lot of good rs jr and sr players to declare for nfl supplemental draft.

Is the antitrust law still in place preventing nfl from broadcasting games on fri/sat from sep to early dec still in place? If so, they will have to work around that and I’m sure ncaa will want some kind of payoff.

[Enkhbat]

Saturday doubleheader. afternoon and night.

[johnnyvegas13]

Saturday doubleheader. afternoon and night.

Might as well play the early gm as well sat

[lakerboy]

Might as well play the early gm as well sat

Let's get a Friday night game as well

[BigdaddyQH]

The NFL will release it's schedule next week. NO changes will be made at this time because the bottom line is this: No one knows what the hell is going on nor will they for at lest 1 more month. If California remains closed down, say good-bye to the season as scheduled. Washington State will do the same, meaning that the Seahawks, 49ers, Chargers and Rams will be unable to play.

[carolinakid]

if the college football get cancel, imo the nfl should be too, but as we know the nfl is nothing but trying to rule everything, screw them

[Emily_Haines]

Good idea

Now most posters can lose money on the NFL four times during the week instead of three.

[Grits n' Gravy]

if the college football get cancel, imo the nfl should be too, but as we know the nfl is nothing but trying to rule everything, screw them

Yet you will watch every week and then tell everyone how you don’t watch it. Typical middle aged loser in life = carolinakid.

[mcaulay777]

A report in Vsin this morning stated that some of the Saturday games would pay per view at 3.99 a game.Are you frickin kidding me no thanks! I will listen on radio.

[Snowball]

Would also allow owners to recoup money lost by non-attendance at games. Makes sense.

yes - Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday.

[Snowball]

A report in Vsin this morning stated that some of the Saturday games would pay per view at 3.99 a game.Are you frickin kidding me no thanks! I will listen on radio.

all games are already on PPV except the ones chosen by your local networks.
nothing different here. you will get game, but not choose which one.

[Art Vandelay]

I dunno

That disrupts natural order

Don't forget Friday high school

At this rate, high school football in serious doubt. Could be wide open for NFL!

[jjgold]

Can you imagine the action if it was just pro football this fall the games would have heavy heavy action