The Associated Press has recently reported that the NFL is going to stop hosting Pro Bowl games and switch to a new format with a weeklong skills competition between leading athletes and a flag football match to round it up. It seems that the league has finally gotten the message that people are not interested in games where they cannot see stars from two leading teams that are preparing for the super bowl.
The contact nature of the sport is against the Pro Bowl format
The full-contact showcase has deep roots in the history of American Football with the first event hosted in 1951 with strong viewership and attendance. However, with more time passing, teams started reluctantly sending their best to the competition considering the schedule that put Pro Bowl just before the Super Bowl which is a more important series for finalists. These teams usually have the best players and do not want to risk their health before the big showdown.
Many other stars also play more carefully to preserve their bodies for the professional season. It makes games way less exciting and interesting with many players pulling back their punches. After years of complaining, fans are finally getting a new format that may be a little more interesting to people who want to see the technique on display instead of bashing heads.
The 2023 event will have a new name “The Pro Bowl Games” and feature a series of competitions where athletes will compare their football and non-football abilities over the whole week. Then, a simple flag game will be played between the best.
The executives at the NFL see that the previous format does not work
It seems that the league will focus on delivering more fun and athletic content instead of forcing players to have full-contact encounters on the field ahead of their next professional seasons and the Super Bowl. It is certainly a good idea considering how many times the NFL received feedback from fans, players, and industry experts who warned them about this exact issue.
