The Pro Football HOF Game next August will be "held on a Thursday night" for the first time, according to a front-page piece by Alison Matas of the CANTON REPOSITORY. The move is "one of several schedule changes" for the '17 Pro Football HOF Enshrinement Week. Moving the game to Thursday means the HOF will have "more time to prep the field, rather than getting it ready following a Saturday-night enshrinement." The '16 game was "canceled after conditions on the playing field were determined to be unsafe because of problems with the paint used for the midfield and end zones." Pro Football HOF Chief of Staff & VP/Communications Pete Fierle said that the "'driving force' behind all decisions -- including moving the game -- was improving fan experience" (CANTON REPOSITORY, 12/29). CBSSPORTS.com's John Breech wrote the move means the game will be the "first event of induction weekend, instead of the final event." Although the HOF "didn't explain why they moved the game, the move definitely makes sense," as it "puts all the focus on the enshrinement ceremony, which is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 5" (CBSSPORTS.com, 12/28).
