Good article on the 18-game schedule.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/colum...6&sportCat=nfl
Here's the crux of the issue, IMO:
Quote:
Is that so? Then how do you explain a recent Associated Press-Knowledge Networks poll that showed only 27 percent of the respondents strongly or somewhat favored an increase from 16 to 18 regular-season games? Or that just 18 percent of those identified specifically as NFL fans strongly favor an expanded regular season? Or that Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney is against any such expansion?
"Nah, I'll be honest with you," said Pietrcollo, a Steelers season-ticket holder for 25 years. "I haven't talked to anyone who's in favor of the 18-game schedule. We are against paying full price for preseason games."
See, that's what Goodell won't say. He won't say that NFL owners have stuck it to their season-ticket holders for years, forcing them to pay the same bloated price for warmed-over appetizers as they do for full entrees. Instead, you get this from Goodell: "And repeatedly the fans have said the quality of the preseason doesn't meet NFL standards."
No, Roger, the fans have said the NFL's rip-off preseason pricing structure doesn't meet fairness standards. Nobody expects preseason games to be more than glorified scrimmages and talent evaluations. But to charge full boat?
"I can't get rid of them," said Pietrcollo of his preseason tickets.
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