The NFL, a titan of professional sports in the United States, has solidified its place not just as a league but as a vital element of American culture. For millions, the ritual of tuning into football games has woven itself into the fabric of life, creating traditions that stretch from September through January and beyond.
Let’s take a moment to reconsider the NFL’s ever-expanding footprint. These days, fans are not just treated to games on Sundays; the action spills over into Thursdays, Mondays, occasional Saturdays, and special events on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Add in international games that kick off at early hours and you’ve got football content available almost year-round. By 2025, it feels like there’s something NFL-related making headlines every single day.
However, there’s a sentiment among fans that perhaps the expansion has gone a bit too far.
Since taking the helm in 2006, Commissioner Roger Goodell has propelled the league into a new era of profitability and branding. Record revenues and lucrative TV contracts have made the NFL a household name around the globe. A major part of Goodell’s success lies in his relentless drive to keep the league in the public eye, whether it’s launching Thursday Night Football or introducing a 17-game season. His strategy includes orchestrating international games and elevating every aspect of the NFL experience into a grand event.
One of the latest spectacles is the annual schedule release, a process that seems almost absurd in its buildup. The teams’ opponents are already known; what the release ultimately entails is a detailed breakdown of matchups, primetime slots, and bye weeks. This is all information that could easily be disseminated via a simple email or even a tweet. But in the world of the NFL, it’s a chance to create a spectacle.
The league has recently announced that select game matchups will be teased over various platforms in the days leading up to the grand event of the full schedule unveiling. It stretches the anticipation thin, as fans will actually find themselves tuning in to hear about only a few confirmed games ahead of the official release event, which will take place on Wednesday night.
And you thought that was it? Not quite. Fans can look forward to a full three-hour broadcast dedicated to this ostensibly straightforward announcement. Scheduled for May 14th, this extravaganza will feature well-known commentators and former players alike, underscoring the pomp surrounding what could be perceived as straightforward logistics.
Yet, one can’t help but shake their head. With players jet-setting across the globe for international matchups, extended seasons pressing athletes to their limits, and games on Christmas Day — this epic buildup for the schedule release might seem a step too far. Instead of a simple reveal that allows fans to digest the upcoming season, the league’s approach feels more like a promotional stunt than a genuine celebration of the sport.
As the NFL continues to push boundaries in terms of business and entertainment, the question remains: is all this effort truly enhancing the experience for fans, or has the league veered into an over-the-top promotional realm? There is certainly value in expanding the league’s reach and revenue, but at what point does the spectacle become excessive? Football fans just want the schedule — let’s focus on that and return to what truly matters: the games.
