NFL owners losing interest in shorter preseason
The NFL has been considering the idea of expanding the playoffs and reducing the length of the preseason, but team owners' interest in the latter is fading, according to the Washington Post.
“I’m not sure that we’ll see [the preseason] being shortened,” said New York Giants co-owner John Mara.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has said that the quality of preseason games isn't up to NFL standards, but Mara said that having four games is necessary for evaluating players.
More: Johnny Manziel says he's 'not ready for Pittsburgh right now'
Instead, owners are focused on expanding the playoff field from 12 teams to 14 in an attempt to generate more revenue. The result would be six opening round playoff games and only one team in each conference receiving a first-round bye.
“The proposal to expand the postseason is two additional games,” Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy said. “That’s a pretty minimal impact…. I anticipate we will expand the playoffs. When will the vote take place? My guess is probably after the [2014] season. That way, you give people a little more time to think about it.”
According to the Post, expanding the postseason could "generate a significant revenue boost for the sport," which would be shared among all teams and go to players as well.
- Molly Geary
