The NFL has recently made a significant adjustment to its policy on playing games on Christmas when it falls on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the league will play a doubleheader on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, breaking the previous rule. However, Goodell stated that playing on Wednesdays will not be a regular occurrence and will only happen when Christmas falls on that day. This decision could change in the future if it presents a lucrative opportunity for the league.
The NFL’s scheduling decisions are primarily driven by money. The league is always seeking new ways to increase revenue and has shown a willingness to adapt to new opportunities even if it means playing games on less traditional days like Wednesdays. Despite concerns about player safety in Thursday night games, the league has demonstrated its commitment to financial gain over potential risks.
In recent years, the NFL has shown flexibility in its scheduling practices by changing its policy on Sunday-Thursday turnarounds, allowing teams to play with only three full days between games. This change opened up new possibilities for scheduling games on different days of the week and highlights the importance of money in shaping NFL decisions. Ultimately, the desire for increased revenue continues to drive innovation and creativity in the NFL’s scheduling strategies.
