The NFL will "head into this spring with a decision to make on the Pro Bowl's location," and the idea of moving the event to Las Vegas or L.A. is "being considered," according to Jabari Young of CNBC.com. It is "not the first time the league has been rumored to move the event." With the Raiders' new Allegiant Stadium expected to be ready for next season, moving the Pro Bowl to Las Vegas, "at least for one year, appears to be gaining momentum," although the NFL "does like Orlando." If the NFL "does move the Pro Bowl to Las Vegas, it may be able to get a feel for what the event will attract based on this year's NFL Draft, which is in Las Vegas" as well. The NFL has until this spring to decide on next year's location, and NFL Exec VP/Club Business & League Events Peter O'Reilly said that there have been "discussions about returning to a rotation system that the NFL did when the game converted to an AFC vs. NFC format" in '71. Meanwhile, the Pro Bowl is "dealing with competitive issues, as it still has a reputation of appearing more like tag football than what consumers are usually accustomed to during the NFL year" (CNBC.com, 1/26).
TIME TO EXPERIMENT: In Orlando, J.C. Carnahan notes the AFC yesterday "made it four in a row over the NFC," winning 38-33 "in front of an announced crowd of 54,024" at Camping World Stadium (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 1/27). In DC, Bieler & Steinberg note the NFL "tested out a couple of proposed rule changes" during the Pro Bowl. The scoring team was "given the choice of allowing the opponent to take possession at its 25-yard line or keep the ball and go for the equivalent of a fourth-and-15 play at its own 25." The rule "came into play when the NFC scored late to draw within five points but failed on a two-point conversion" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/27).
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED? In Cincinnati, Jason Hoffman wrote the Pro Bowl "has run its course and needs to be replaced." He wrote the league should "have the two worst teams in the league play for the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft and the team with the worst record hosts the game." It would be a "tough sell to the owners because they'd never pay a dime more than required to players, but the added TV revenue would make it well worth their while down the road" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 1/26).
