Packers-Eagles in Brazil: NFL exploited this loophole in broadcasting guidelines to schedule uncommon Friday recreation

The actual fact the sport is being performed in Brazil is not the one distinctive factor concerning the recreation. It is also notable the sport shall be performed on a FRIDAY in Week 1. The explanation that is notable is as a result of the sport will mark the primary time in 54 years that the NFL has scheduled a Friday matchup in the course of the opening week of the season. 

The final time it occurred got here in 1970 when the Rams beat the Cardinals, 34-13, in a recreation that was performed on a Friday night time in Los Angeles. 

One purpose there’s been such an enormous hole between Friday video games is as a result of it is not simple for the NFL to schedule a Friday recreation in the course of the common season. As a matter of truth, the one purpose it is occurring this yr is as a result of the league is benefiting from a broadcasting loophole. 

Underneath the Sports activities Broadcasting Act of 1961, the NFL is not allowed to televise any video games on Friday or Saturday from the second weekend in September by means of the second weekend in December (These two days have been earmarked for highschool and faculty soccer). Because of this you do not see any Saturday video games on the NFL schedule till late within the season. 

So what does that imply for this yr? 

The NFL all the time kicks off the season on the primary Thursday after Labor Day. If Labor Day falls on Sept. 3 or later, then the primary NFL weekend would be the second weekend of September and Friday video games will not be permitted, however since Labor Day is on Sept. 2 this yr, that opened the door for the NFL to play on Sept. 6, which is the primary Friday in September. 

For those who’re questioning why the NFL was capable of play a Black Friday recreation in 2023 — and can as soon as once more be taking part in one in 2024 — the league additionally took benefit of a loophole within the broadcasting guidelines to make that occur. Underneath the Sports activities Broadcasting Act, the NFL is ALLOWED to schedule a Friday recreation so long as a considerable portion of the sport is over by 6 p.m. native time. Because of this the NFL’s first Black Friday recreation kicked off at 3 p.m. ET in 2023 and it is also why the Chiefs and Raiders shall be kicking off at 3 p.m. ET on Black Friday this yr. 

With Labor Day set to fall on Sept. 1 in 2025, the NFL might conceivably play one other Friday opener in one other overseas nation to begin the season. 

As for the sport in Sao Paulo, Packers-Eagles will mark simply the third time since 2010 that the NFL has held a recreation on a Friday throughout any week of the season.