Goodell announces more prime-time games, no talk of NFL expansion
|
|
| Roger Goodell covers prime-time and overseas games and concussions in his annual address. (Getty Images) |
INDIANAPOLIS -- The NFL is increasing the number of Thursday night games so more of its teams can play in prime time.
Commissioner Roger Goodell said that there will be Thursday night games on the NFL Network from the second to the 15th week of the season, giving all of the league's teams a chance to appear in prime time on some outlet.
Those games will be in addition to the usual Sunday night and Monday night games, which tend to feature teams coming off good seasons.
Goodell revealed the television scheduling change at his state of the NFL news conference Friday.
He sidestepped a question about expanding the regular-season schedule, saying it's something that would have to be evaluated along with the players.
Other news from Goodell's address:
Sorry, Los Angeles. The only NFL expansion happening anytime soon is to next season's schedule of Thursday night games.
| More on NFL |
| Analysis |
 |
| Related links |
| Super Bowl XLVI |
| Video |
|
| NFL coverage on the go |
Goodell said that adding to the league's 32 teams "has not been on our agenda" and that he doesn't "see that in the foreseeable future."
He also said the NFL wants "to keep our teams where they are."
Goodell said the NFL will continue its work toward preventing concussions and other injuries, saying what has been done so far is only a starting point.
Goodell said that the league has done "a great deal" to make the game safer for players. He said the league is "not done yet" and keep trying to make the game less dangerous. The league is expanding its use of sideline TV replays to help doctors.
His comment came in response to an Associated Press story quoting a dozen former players who believe there was a culture of indifference toward concussions and other injuries in the NFL. Goodell noted that the league has set aside a lot of money to help retired players.
Goodell would like to see the NFL playing another regular-season game in Mexico.
Goodell said that the league has a strategy to make the game "more successful on a global basis." The Rams and Patriots will play in London next season as part of that approach.
Asked about playing games in Latin America, Goodell said there's a great deal of interest there and he would like to get back to playing a regular-season game in Mexico. He said it's "something we'd like to get done sooner than later."
Goodell said there are current discussions about setting up another game in Mexico.
The NFL Players Association has concerns about playing games in London and how the travel will affect players.
Goodell said he isn't bothered by all the talk about Colts quarterback Peyton Manning during Super Bowl week.
Manning's cloudy future because of a neck injury that forced him to miss the season has diverted attention from the NFL title game in Indianapolis. His brother Eli is the Giants quarterback and will be playing against New England on Sunday.
Goodell said that he understands why there's so much interest in Manning, given that he's such an important player to the league and the community.
Goodell said he's "not troubled at all" by all the talk about whether Manning will stay with the Colts or leave, and he doesn't think it has distracted from Super Bowl week.
Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
