As a die-hard NFL fan, the recent news about games getting postponed due to the on-going global pandemic has dampened my spirits. I was so looking forward to watching live games on the weekends with a few of my friends. However, the events of 2020 have drastically changed the playing field for NFL teams, not just for professional sports leagues across the nation.
It seemed to happen so quickly, without much warning with the pandemic looming over the nation. Just as soon as the teams began to hit the field, the games went into delay. The dreaded “postponed” news on the sports channel was heart breaking. All of the excitement, the energy, and the enthusiasm that had been building up for months quickly disappeared. Feeling dejected and despondent, I felt as if the whole of my enthusiasm went down the drain in a matter of seconds.
The NFL had taken strict safety protocols to ensure that the players were not put in harm’s way. However, the infection rate was still higher than what was desirable. With the surge of the pandemic intensifying, the league was forced to shift the schedules to ensure that there was no disruption of the game due to the lack of manpower on the team.
It was heartbreaking for the fans and the players to see a halt of the game. Team morale had plummeted with the news and the whole notion of the return of the NFL was put to a standstill. With no end in sight to the pandemic, team owners and league officials thought it best to delay the games than to risk the lives of the players and their families.
It was disheartening to not be able to catch the exciting NFL games on Sunday afternoons. I had been looking forward to a weekend of cuddling up with a blanket, some snacks, and watching the game play out on the big screens. Instead, I was stuck in my living room watching the news of the games being postponed several times over. I felt as if my Sundays had been robbed!
The economic aspect of the NFL took a hit too. Sponsorship had already been pulled back due to the pandemic but with the games getting postponed, almost all the revenue of the teams had come to a standstill. The players were feeling the hit too as match bonuses and other incentives had been put on hold too.
The most concerning issue for the NFL was the lack of fans to watch the games. Stadiums were empty and that too put a dent in the team’s economic strength. Without the fans cheering the teams, it was difficult to get the players to give their best.
Though the games were being delayed and the NFL was facing financial woes, there was still a glimmer of hope. There were talks of holding test matches before the season officially began and possible matches being played behind closed doors too.
It was a low to see the postponement but I was still holding out for the possibility of some matches being played. With efficient safety protocols in place, I was hoping that the league would be able to start the season soon.
All I am hoping for is that the league doesn’t adopt total online streaming, as this would rob me of the full experience of watching the NFL games in person. The smell of the stadium, the taste of the hot dogs and the fierce competition on the field. That’s something I’d miss if the games went totally virtual!
The league also seemed to be leaning towards closer matches with teams in nearby cities. This was to reduce travel time and also to help the teams conserve resources. This would also bring the thrill of having two local teams pitted against each other in a match.
The other strategies that the NFL seemed to be considering were ventures into virtual reality, online betting, and app-based streaming. All of these possibilities seemed to push me out of my comfort zone and also made me a bit apprehensive. Nonetheless, it was clear that the baffling pandemic had drastically changed the game of the NFL and it was up to the league and the teams to gear up and make the best out of the situation.