NFL Expands Game Schedule, Raising Concerns Over Oversaturation

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The NFL is continuing to expand its game schedule, adding more Thanksgiving, international, and weekday games to its slate. This comes as the league's revenues have hit the $25 billion-per-year range, with no signs of slowing down the growth. However, some fans have expressed concerns over the oversaturation of NFL content and the increasing number of streaming services needed to watch games.

Why it matters

The NFL's constant expansion of its game schedule raises questions about whether there is a limit to how much football content fans can consume. The league's desire to maximize revenues through additional inventory could potentially alienate some fans who feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of games and the fragmentation of viewing options.

The details

The NFL is planning for a record nine international games this season, as well as a Thanksgiving Eve event and the continuation of late-season Saturday games. The league has also moved up the traditional Thursday Night Kickoff game to Wednesday. NFL executive vice president of media distribution Hans Schroeder said the league views the Thanksgiving Eve game as a "natural way to grow." However, the league is discontinuing the Monday Night Football doubleheaders, as "fans felt conflicted."

• The NFL is planning for a record nine international games this season.
• The league is adding a Thanksgiving Eve event for the first time.
• The traditional Thursday Night Kickoff game has been moved up to Wednesday.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The NFL is expected to continue exploring ways to expand its game schedule, including the potential for an 18-game season in the future.