The NFL made a decision twenty-three years ago to no longer open its season on Labor Day weekend. In August of 2000, the league announced that the following Sunday and Monday would be the last time it would start the season on this day. However, people wanted to enjoy their last days of summer, so starting from 2001, the NFL season began on the weekend after Labor Day.
While football is often seen as a family-oriented sport, it is essential to recognize that it is also a business. The NFL determined that starting the season on Labor Day weekend was not beneficial for maximizing TV audiences as people were generally busy with end-of-summer activities. However, with talks of expanding the season to 18 games and adding a second bye week, the NFL may need to reconsider its stance on this matter.
The world has changed significantly since the NFL moved the start of its season to the week after Labor Day. Technology has made it possible for people to watch games anywhere on their portable devices. Therefore, opening weekend could potentially become a five-night event with games on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Given that federal prohibition on Friday and Saturday games doesn’t begin until the second Friday in September, Labor Day weekend could be utilized for multiple standalone games.
While there is no indication that the NFL has revisited this idea of working on Labor Day weekend, it may be worth considering. Just like how large audiences are attracted during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, opening weekend games during Labor Day could also draw in millions of viewers and generate significant revenue for the league. By making use of this holiday weekend effectively, the NFL could enhance its season kickoff and engage fans in new and exciting ways.
In conclusion, while football may seem like a family-oriented sport at first glance; it’s essential to recognize that it’s also a business with financial considerations at play. The league’s decision to move away from starting its season on Labor Day weekend was based primarily on maximizing TV audiences rather than catering to fans’ preferences or traditions. As technology advances and consumer habits change over time; there are opportunities for innovative approaches like turning opening weekend into a five-night event or incorporating multiple standalone games during labor day weekend.