A Better "Division" of NFL Talent

[Radagast]

If it were my call to make, I'd rearrange some of the NFL's Divisions. This is what I'd do.

AFC

East: New England, NY Jets, Buffalo, and Baltimore

North: Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis

South: Miami, Jacksonville, Houston, and Tennessee

West: LA Chargers, Denver, Kansas City, and Oakland

NFC

East: NY Giants, Philadelphia, Washington, and Carolina

North: Green Bay, Chicago, Detroit, and Minnesota

South: Dallas, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and Atlanta

West: Seattle, San Francisco, LA Rams, and Arizona


Placing some teams into more regional areas, would in my opinion boost not only game attendance, but also the sales of team gear. In some cases it would lessen some of the miles that teams must travel yearly too. Long standing rivalries like Dallas/Washington or Pittsburgh/Baltimore would still take place, but only every 4 years (unless they meat in the playoffs).

In addition, new revilaries might develop. A Pittsburgh/Indianapolis revilary might just be the new hot games each season.

[mraynrand]

Good post. But you're spelleng was atroshuss.

[ThunderDan]

Do you know how many NFL games don't sell out? I have no clue and I am guessing it is the really bad teams so it won't matter who they are playing.

I don't think if I am Dallas fan I am going to buy more merchandise just because we now play ATL, TB and NO twice a year.

Changing divisions makes sense for some travel related issues but nothing else.

[SudsMcBucky]

I wish you the best of luck telling both Jerry Jones and also the owners of the other NFCE teams that the Cowboys are moving. Neither side would want that one bit. Also, I think you're vastly underestimating the rivalry between Carolina and the rest of the NFCS. That is a true natural rival.

[hoosier]

Certain traditional rivalries would always get in the way of this kind of shakeup. Dallas and its NFC East foes is the most obvious example.

[Radagast]

Do you know how many NFL games don't sell out? I have no clue and I am guessing it is the really bad teams so it won't matter who they are playing.

I don't think if I am Dallas fan I am going to buy more merchandise just because we now play ATL, TB and NO twice a year.

Changing divisions makes sense for some travel related issues but nothing else.

Placing teams closer together in their divisions will offer some teams fans easier access to travel to games. Many of these fans will purchase jerseys, hats, etc. and foster bus and car travel to games. It would place Dallas closer to New Orleans, Washington closer to Carolina (Charlotte N.C.) and a Miami/Jacksonville rivalry could just be epic twice a season. The AFC North teams would benefit more with a Domed Stadium in Indianapolis, a first for that division.

Also, shaking up the Conferences could offer benefits that we may not be able to predict at this time.

[run pMc]

They should also rename the divisions like they used to in the NHL, so nobody except diehard fans had any clue who was where.
e.g., the Madden, Nagurski, Graham, Brown divisions. Of course, they'd find a way to screw it up and have a Rozelle/Goodell division that nobody'd want to be in.

[Radagast]

I wish you the best of luck telling both Jerry Jones and also the owners of the other NFCE teams that the Cowboys are moving. Neither side would want that one bit. Also, I think you're vastly underestimating the rivalry between Carolina and the rest of the NFCS. That is a true natural rival.

Show Jerry that his bottom line would increase and watch how fast he would jump on board. In addition, a Washington/Carolina rivalry would see both benefit from the decrease in distance for the two teams.

Some would grumble, but soon they would climb onto the new revilary wagons.

[pbmax]

TV money runs the league. All other money is almost an order of magnitude less.

How does Jerry make more money if he is on TV less because he gets smaller TV markets?

I agree that ticket pricing and attendance are issues, but the solution won't be to move Dallas. Its been brought up before and none of the Division wants them to move.

[Radagast]

TV money runs the league. All other money is almost an order of magnitude less.

How does Jerry make more money if he is on TV less because he gets smaller TV markets?

I agree that ticket pricing and attendance are issues, but the solution won't be to move Dallas. Its been brought up before and none of the Division wants them to move.

Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and even New Orleans are not as small as Buffalo, GB, or even Arizona, but as far as TV is concerned all NFL teams share equally in the TV revenues the League is paid. So Houston gets the same TV revenue as does Seattle, Miami, or Cleveland. Dallas will get as much or more air time depending on weather they are winning or loosing. Sense GB's record over the past few years has fallen, they are therefor not seen nationally as much as when they win. Also, more regional interest can only serve to boost the local/regional programing that Jerry can claim as his own property.

I fully realise these changes will not occur, however I did say "if it were my call to make", so there you are.

[gbgary]

If it were my call to make, I'd rearrange some of the NFL's Divisions. This is what I'd do....

makes perfect sense to me.

[pbmax]

Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and even New Orleans are not as small as Buffalo, GB, or even Arizona, but as far as TV is concerned all NFL teams share equally in the TV revenues the League is paid. So Houston gets the same TV revenue as does Seattle, Miami, or Cleveland. Dallas will get as much or more air time depending on weather they are winning or loosing. Sense GB's record over the past few years has fallen, they are therefor not seen nationally as much as when they win. Also, more regional interest can only serve to boost the local/regional programing that Jerry can claim as his own property.

I fully realise these changes will not occur, however I did say "if it were my call to make", so there you are.

Sharing the TV revenue is not the same as being on TV. Jones' team in on TV all the time, partially because of an attractive to TV slate of markets (NY, Philly, DC). The TV money wants the Cowboys on TV with the biggest possible markets.

In turn, Jones' leverages the exposure into a multitude of marketing opportunities for football fans all over the world, not just locally. So they sell more merchansdise and recognize more revenue through this strategy than through a local strategy.

[mraynrand]

then probably should re-organize divisions according to TV market popularity. Have the most popular teams play each other twice a season as much as possible. maybe screw the divisions and just have 'em play four times a year?

[pbmax]

then probably should re-organize divisions according to TV market popularity. Have the most popular teams play each other twice a season as much as possible. maybe screw the divisions and just have 'em play four times a year?

Old school baseball style Leagues/Conferences. First time you play the AFC is in the Super Bowl. Create some rarity.

Or just play year round, every other week. 22 game schedule, round robin then semi-final and Championship. An octopus in a tank chooses who plays odd and even weeks at the start.

[esoxx]

They should also rename the divisions like they used to in the NHL, so nobody except diehard fans had any clue who was where.
e.g., the Madden, Nagurski, Graham, Brown divisions. Of course, they'd find a way to screw it up and have a Rozelle/Goodell division that nobody'd want to be in.

If they're going to rename any divisions, I would prefer they call it the Leaders and the Legends. Yup, that is the winning ticket.

Now pass me another New Coke.