BREAKING: NFL to change playoff structure, adopt college-style Bowl system AP: New York, NY The National Football League has announced major changes to its postseason, beginning with the 2015 season. Starting next year, there will no longer be a 12 team postseason tournament with the winners of the AFC and NFC advancing to the Super Bowl. Instead, once the regular season has concluded, a panel of 12 individuals will decide which two teams advance to the Super Bowl automatically. The 12 person committee consists of the following individuals, picked by Goodell himself. Arthur Blank, Atlanta Falcons owner Dave Kreig, former NFL quarterback Jessie Tuggle, former NFL linebacker Marty Schottenheimer, former NFL head coach Wayne Fontes, former NFL coach Dick Ebersol, former/current NBC Sports executive Sarah Palin, former GOP vice presidential nominee/Alaska governor Trent Dilfer, ESPN NFL analyst/former NFL quarterback Ray Lewis, ESPN NFL analyst/former NFL linebacker Isaac Bruce, former NFL wide receiver Joe Manchin, West Virginia Senator Katy Perry, pop star/musician After seeing the success that the college game has enjoyed for over 100 years, we figured it was time for the NFL to catch up with the times. While having a 12 team playoff that weve enjoyed over the past two decades has been beneficial at times, we feel like we can generate more buzz for the league with the bowl system. Think about all of the debate well be able to create with our new system. While some might feel like New England deserves a spot in the Super Bowl, others might argue for Denver. Or Seattle. Or Green Bay. And while some might think its better to have our teams decide it on the field, we feel like that approach is so 1990. Our goal is to generate buzz and debate, and we feel like the bowl system is the way to go. Goodell confirmed that there was consideration for the committee to select four teams for the NFL semifinals, with the top two advancing to the Super Bowl. And while that model had support among some of the NFLs top executives, Goodell felt that allowing four teams into the playoffs would devalue the regular season. If there were 4, or even 8 or 12 teams in the playoffs, there would be far too many games involving teams with playoff hopes, Goodell said. Like college football, we want as few games as possible among teams competing for the championship. As the collegiate game has shown us, that is how you build your brand and generate the most buzz. After the committee selects the top two teams for the Super Bowl, the next 10 best NFL teams (as determined by the committee) will be placed in other bowl games, randomly scattered across the country (or possibly in London, Toronto, or Mexico City). For example, you could possibly have Pittsburgh and Green Bay face off against each other in St Louis in something called The Arch Bowl, presented by Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. What could be better than that, Goodell asked. Fans all across the country will have chances to see teams play in their stadiums that dont often play there. Best business model anyone could come up with. When asked what criteria the committee would use for selecting the teams for the Super Bowl, Goodell replied, Pretty much whatever they want. Theyre the experts, not me. But we would like our best football markets to be protected. Who wants to watch Jacksonville play Minnesota for all the marbles? Not me. Selfishly, I hope the committee considers these things, for the good of the game and for the league.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 15:16:42 +0000
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