How to Fix the Preseason Problem in the NFL
The NFL has an obvious preseason problem. Tickets, although sold at standard prices in season ticket packages (often upwards of $70-100), are sold on the secondary market for 1/4 that price or even cheaper. Highly sought after players are getting hurt in meaningless games and even television audiences are beginning to dwindle.I saw the chances for my Detroit Lions having an unexpectedly promising 2019 season begin to go down the toiler after veteran Jermaine Kearse suffered a season-ending leg injury. Something needs to change!So what can be done?There have been proposals for eliminating 2 preseason games and adding 1-2 regular season games, which should help offset revenues, but I have a better idea. I'm proposing that the real solution to fix the NFL's preseason problem doesn't include adding or removing any games.My idea will still result in teams achieving their goals in the preseason, which are to decide important position battles and test young and unknown players. What I propose is that the first two games of the preseason be dubbed as "development games." The games will only consist of rookies, players with three or less years of experience, and veterans who are on league minimum contracts. This will help talented young players shine while protecting each team's stars from injury...at least in the first two preseason games.And to help make the fourth NFL preseason game more interesting, it will take place roughly two weeks before the first regular season game, which will help teams feel a bit more comfortable playing starters at the start of these games before giving young players their shot.While fans will never go crazy for preseason games, they will have more interest knowing that rookies and unearthed talent will be displaying their stuff. I for one would be watching with bated breath to see my favorite rookies try their hardest to make an NFL roster.Thanks for reading! What do you think of this idea? Please comment below and follow me (@Mikey) for more amazingly incredible thoughts on sports (okay, maybe not, but I try hard!).
