Pro Bowl to remain the week before the Super Bowl?

[Dpantherman]

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 31, 2010 10:42 AM ET (profootballtalk.com)

The Pro Bowl moves back to Hawaii for the next two years, but it may not move back to after the Super Bowl. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the game may stay on the Sunday before the Super Bowl next year.

"We have the option when we go back to Hawaii, we can do it before or after [the Super Bowl],'' Goodell said to the Miami Herald. "Here's where I like it: I think you should stop or end your season when you reach the pinnacle. The pinnacle is the Super Bowl. I think it's anticlimactic when you come back with the Pro Bowl the week after the Super Bowl.''

Despite all the griping about this Pro Bowl, we agree with Goodell.

Players have dropped out of the game more than usual, but that's always a problem. And despite fans saying they could care less about the game, it gets great ratings. If those ratings go up, it sounds like this format may not change.

The biggest issue with a Pro Bowl in Hawaii before the next Super Bowl could be a lack of media coverage. Even the league's network would be spread thin and have to divide resources.

It sounds like that's an issue Goodell believes is worth tackling.

[SCMunnerlyn1]

i dont care where they host it as long as they bring back all the skills competitions and put it all on espn throughout the week

[SCMunnerlyn1]

remember jake delhomme in the homerun derby in 05 ?

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

i dont care where they host it as long as they bring back all the skills competitions and put it all on espn throughout the week

I agree.

[Panthers128]

i think it's stupid to have it before the super bowl. i can't even watch Dru Brees, it's bad enough Brett Favre didn't make the trip.

Now I have to watch guys like McNabb and Romo who aren't even that good.

[Snake]

Really what has Roger Goodell done right.... I mean he fines players for stupid stuff and now he takes away all the fun that was at the Pro bowl. If he wants to do something cool put the skills competitions in the middle of the season. Just like the NBA and thats not much contact so you would have a big turnout of Pros.

[Pumpkin King]

He obviously doesn't get the point of the pro bowl being after the superbowl. He says it's anticlimactic, and the superbowl should be the pinnacle. In all of the sports I've played, the all star game was always after the season was over. It's supposed to be for the players, and not the ratings. I mean, doing this leaves out so many players to begin with, even some of the best.

[GRWatcher]

PK is right, it's just as much for the players as for the fans. Anyway, fans of 30 teams will watch the SB but that's not the end for them. Their end, if they have a player in the Pro Bowl, would be the Pro Bowl. I don't like it before the SB.

As for ratings? Doesn't help that it's on ESPN and not simulcast on what would be a local station. Not everyone has ESPN. Good luck comparing apples to oranges.

Do need to point out that this year if the Pro Bowl was the week after the SB, it would be smack dab in the middle of the Winter Olympics and that might affect ratings.

[Panthers128]

im pretty sure nobody watches the winter olympics

[CosmoGirl]

PK is right, it's just as much for the players as for the fans. Anyway, fans of 30 teams will watch the SB but that's not the end for them. Their end, if they have a player in the Pro Bowl, would be the Pro Bowl. I don't like it before the SB.

As for ratings? Doesn't help that it's on ESPN and not simulcast on what would be a local station. Not everyone has ESPN. Good luck comparing apples to oranges.

Do need to point out that this year if the Pro Bowl was the week after the SB, it would be smack dab in the middle of the Winter Olympics and that might affect ratings.

It is definitely for the players. Many use it as a family vacation and a reward for teammates who've helped them get there. Having it before the SB takes that way from the players who are in the SB or played in the NFCCG because they can't plan on being there for a week.

[GRWatcher]

im pretty sure nobody watches the winter olympics

I do! There's nothing like Olympic hockey!