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While Calls Continue For NFL To Modify "TNF," Rights Fees Make It Unlikely To Disappear

Calls to modify "TNF" or eliminate the package altogether have grown throughout the year, but the league is unlikely to end the games because "no business is turning away revenue streams," according to ESPN's Michael Wilbon. ESPN's Tony Kornheiser noted there are "hundred of millions of dollars involved" in the Thursday games from CBS, NBC and Twitter. He speculated there could be "another renegotiation with the networks, and then maybe Apple or Google or Netflix will step in with a billion dollars and they’ll take Thursday night” ("PTI," ESPN, 11/29). Forbes Media Exec Editor Mike Ozanian noted CBS and NBC are each paying $225M this season for "TNF" rights. He said, "Though the ratings haven't been that good, they're not paying that much, so I think it's worth it for them to keep it." Sports agent Leigh Steinberg added, “You have to keep in mind that all of these ratings for nighttime games are still among the leading programming on all television” ("Squawk Alley," CNBC, 11/29). But ESPN's J.A. Adande wondered how much longer networks will be "willing to just continuously write big checks and if they're getting less of a return on their investment" amid "declining revenues coming in from the fewer cable and satellite subscribers." Adande: "Will they continue to bankroll for this expansion and will they continue to pay for the Thursday night games in addition to Sundays and Mondays?” ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 11/29).

DECEMBER TO REMEMBER
: ESPN's Will Cain advocated for the NFL to begin its "TNF" package "after Thanksgiving weekend." He said, "There’s something about that Thursday of Thanksgiving that starts to put you in the mood of every game matters" ("His & Hers," ESPN2, 11/29). The Dallas Morning News' Tim Cowlishaw said, "I’d like to see Thursday night be a special event, just four times a year” ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 11/29). 

MAKE SUNDAY GREAT AGAIN: ESPN’s Kate Fagan said, "Sometimes you have to focus on what is the culture and energy around your brand. Football on Sunday, that is where it is” (“His & Hers,” ESPN2, 11/29).

CAN THINGS GET WORSE? 
SI.com's Jack Dickey wondered if "TNF" can "get any worse than it has been this year." He writes each matchup "has felt like Jaguars-Titans." Nike’s Color Rush uniforms, worn every outing, have been "kinder to the color-blind but hardly kinder to viewers at large." The games have "bounced among three channels, with similarly erratic graphics packages and announcer pairings" (SI, 12/5 issue). The Colorado Springs Gazette's Woody Paige said, "What they need to do is say, 'What can we do about it?' Do not put the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 11/29).

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