With the NFL’s traditional (since 2002) season-opening game set for the Thursday night after Labor Day, this year’s version of the first regular-season contest conflicts with the climax of the Republican National Convention.
On that same night, Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) will accept the nomination.
And so the NFL apparently plans to stand down, moving the kickoff of the opener from 8:30 p.m. EDT to 7:00 p.m. EDT, in order to ensure that the game is over before McCain gives his speech during the ten o’clock hour.
The game will most likely feature the New York Giants hosting one of eight predetermined opponents for 2008 — the Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins, 49ers, Seahawks, Ravens, Bengals, and Panthers.
March 25th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Well if NBC or ESPN (whichever one has the game) has anything to say about it, it’ll probably be Giants-Cowboys - with Giants-Redskins in reserve.
Of course, it would be oh so juicy if the game went into overtime.
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March 26th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Why don’t they just do a split screen like fox did during the Clinton impeachment proceedings?
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March 26th, 2008 at 12:41 am
This means us westcoasters will have a 4pm kickoff time; I would like to go on the record to say that SUCKS!
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March 26th, 2008 at 1:35 am
Giants and Eagles would be the two biggest cities clashing.
DoonnyMac vs Eli for the Beast of the East title.
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March 26th, 2008 at 4:21 am
Screw it. Let McCain move his time to annouce what we already know.
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March 26th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Bolo,
The NFL won’t pull out their trump card on opening night. Giants - Cowboys/Redskins are a ratings bonanza. Opening night is also a ratings bonanza for the NFL. I would guess that it would be either the Niners, Seahawks, or the Panthers. Traditionally, the Giants always play the Ravens in preseason so I can’t imagine the two teams seeing each other to kick off the season.
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March 26th, 2008 at 8:00 am
HA, it won’t matter…when is the last time you saw a football game, either college or pro, take 3 hours or less? An NFL football game is 3 hours 15 minutes, pretty much at a minimum.
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March 26th, 2008 at 8:39 am
I had heard something that the Giants (and Jets) have to work something out speical for any non-Sunday games. With the construction of the new stadium there is little to no parking. The teams do have deal in place to use the parking of local businesses on Sunday. It isn’t a big deal since they aren’t being usedon Sunday’s. The issue with the Thursday game is they are being uses so it is quite possible (although unlikely) the Giants either don’t play this game or it is not a home game for the Giants.
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March 26th, 2008 at 9:21 am
As a Giants season ticket holder, let me echo thecomments of cfwest. The parking is a nightmare with the construction. Remember, the construction at the site is three fold: The New Stadium, The New offices for the Giants and The New Mall, which takes away all parking at the arena across the street. The teams last year had to use satellite parking that involves office buildings aroundthe area that are full during weekdays and would create a logistical nightmare for the Giants organization. To have a 7:30 game would be a hard sell. Mr. Mara has said that they would try to work around it for an 8:30 start, but a 7:30 would create a whole other set of problems. And mass transit to the stadium is a joke. It is over 90 percent people driving to the game on a normal basis. With it being a night game during a work week, it would be even worse. Bet NBC Sunday and the over for the first Sunday night.
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March 26th, 2008 at 10:01 am
I think it will be either the Niners or Seahawks….that way, it will incorporate both sides of the country and get attention from both East and West Coast and everywhere in between…..plus they will save the NFC East Division rivals for another day….
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March 26th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Isn’t 10pm way past McCain’s bedtime?
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March 26th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
keep the darn game at the normal time, nobody wants to hear what that man has to say anyway!!
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March 26th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Keep the game at the regular time. Have McCain give his speech during half time for the half time show.
Problem solved.
Your welcome.
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March 26th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I’m pretty sure it won’t be Cincy or Baltimore…
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