NFL time beyond regulation rule change has momentum, government says

NFL homeowners are prepping for an additional spherical of debates in regards to the league’s time beyond regulation guidelines, which got here underneath renewed scrutiny after one of the vital thrilling playoff video games in historical past. There could possibly be one thing within the works, too.

“I believe there’s a number of momentum to have a change,” Atlanta Falcons President and Chief Govt Wealthy McKay mentioned Friday when discussing the time beyond regulation rule. 

The NFL will maintain its annual conferences in Palm Seashore, Florida, this weekend by means of Wednesday. The gathering brings collectively homeowners, group presidents, coaches and league employees in a single location to debate gameplay operations and enterprise. 

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell might be peppered with inquiries round league media offers. And there could possibly be minor renewals concerning property that embody radio rights and ticketing. NFL group homeowners may even debate amending Rule 16 – generally known as the time beyond regulation rule.

The rule permits every group to own the ball in further play except the membership that receives the opening kickoff scores a landing. If the opening drive ends in a discipline purpose, the opposing group will get the chance to match the rating or landing to win. And if there is a turnover, the primary group to attain wins.

The discussions round time beyond regulation come greater than two months after the 2021 NFL’s playoffs, which noticed six of the ultimate seven video games determined by three factors or much less. 

The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ 42-36 win in opposition to the Buffalo Payments in January 2022 got here in time beyond regulation. The Chiefs scored the opening landing and eradicated the Payments from the postseason following an exhilarating comeback. Critics of the time beyond regulation rule mentioned the Payments ought to have had an opportunity to match the Chiefs’ landing, leading to a brand new push to alter the rule.

The NFL final modified the time beyond regulation rule at its March 2010 meetings in Orlando, when it modified to the present format for playoff video games. Through the March 2012 annual meetings, homeowners accepted increasing the format to the common season.

This 12 months, homeowners will debate the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles’ proposal that requests possessions for each groups in time beyond regulation, no matter whether or not a landing is scored on the primary possession. The golf equipment cite “aggressive fairness” as a cause for the change.

The Tennessee Titans additionally need the rule modified – barely.

Below the Titans’ proposal, the group that scores a landing on the opening drive would additionally want a two-point conversion to win. 

On a name with reporters on Friday to debate the proposals, McKay, the chairman of the NFL’s Competitors Committee, mentioned “information and analytics” help a change to Rule 16. He famous how there have been 12 postseason overtimes because the present rule was applied, including that the coin-toss-winning group has gained 10 instances. Seven of these victories got here on the primary drive, together with the Chiefs’ win. 

“That is why there is a dialogue on a guidelines modification,” mentioned McKay.

To amend the time beyond regulation rule, 24 out of 32 homeowners must vote in favor of a proposal, a process McKay admitted could possibly be tough. The rule change proposed by the Colts and Eagles may have an effect on competitiveness. Permitting each groups an automated possession may delay video games and improve the chance for accidents. 

The present time beyond regulation rule already permits each groups an opportunity for a possession – ought to the protection cease the offense on the primary possession.

Crew homeowners will hear from the coaches sub-committee throughout debates.  

McKay mentioned a vote to alter the rule could be a “fairly massive hill to climb the primary time.” But ought to the league change Rule 16, McKay hinted the Titans’ proposal would make extra sense.

“In case you really feel like your protection is drained – you have scored, they’ve already scored – you will have that chance to win the sport at that time by going for 2, which I believe the analytics division believes many would,” McKay mentioned.

“That is the dialogue we’re going to have after we get to Palm Seashore,” McKay added.

On the NFL’s enterprise entrance, it is unlikely group homeowners will resolve on vital media property at present on {the marketplace}, together with the Sunday Ticket package deal. On March 16, CNBC reported a call across the $2.5 billion media package deal would possible come throughout the 2022 season.

Additionally, count on extra rumblings round potential funding companions for the NFL’s media arm. The entity operates NFL Community, NFL RedZone, NFL.com and NFL’s worldwide property. It is unclear what it may web.

As an alternative, smaller offers that could possibly be accomplished on the conferences embody the NFL’s satellite radio rights with Liberty Media-owned SiriusXM and community radio rights with Cumulus Media’s Westwood One. It is unclear how a lot the offers are value, however for a reference level, Westwood’s 2009 NFL renewal reportedly paid the NFL greater than $30 million yearly.

The NFL’s take care of Ticketmaster can be on the desk, trade sources have advised CNBC. The league renewed this agreement in 2017, and it grants Ticketmaster the rights to the league’s ticket resale market. Sports activities Enterprise Journal additionally reported a renewal is probably going.

Westwood One and Ticketmaster didn’t instantly return a CNBC request for touch upon about its NFL partnerships.

The NFL additionally needs to finalize agreements earlier than the 2022 season round its Tremendous Bowl Halftime Present rights, which Pepsi licenses. In October 2021, CNBC reported NFL is seeking $25 million to $50 million yearly for that asset. The NFL’s wine and champagne rights are available on the market.

NFL membership presidents may even get extra perspective round a brand new group asset. On Tuesday, the NFL permitted groups to seek blockchain sponsorships with platforms like Coinbase and FTX.